Honesty is regarded as a basic ethical value in all educational programmes, and academic integrity is of undisputed importance in educational environments. The literature reviewed revealed that academic dishonesty is wide-ranging and also encountered in the nursing education environment. This phenomenon is of concern to the nursing fraternity because of the proven positive correlation between unethical academic practices and future unethical professional behaviour. Limited research data regarding academic dishonesty at nursing education institutions in South Africa and this correlation motivated the present study. The purpose was to examine the status of academic integrity amongst nursing students at a nursing education institution in the Western Cape. Formulated objectives guided investigation of several variables which impact upon academic integrity, for example the incidence of and student perceptions around academic dishonesty.A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used, with a self-reported questionnaire (based on literature review and study objectives) designed to obtain information about academic dishonesty. Provision was also made for qualitative input from the respondents by including three open-ended questions.It was found that academic dishonesty was a reality at the nursing education institution where this study was done. Cheating associated with plagiarism and assignments was identified as the main problem area. An unacceptably high level of dishonesty in completion of practical records was also an area of concern. The main recommendations are development and implementation of a code of honour and implementation of comprehensive academic integrity policies at the nursing education institution, with practical measures aimed at combating cheating in tests and examinations.Academic Integrity In Nursing Education Essay
Academic integrity is the moral code
or ethical policy of academia. Academic
integrity refers to the expectation from a
student to submit original work and give
credit to other people‟s ideas. Academic
integrity is the commitment and
demonstration of honest and moral behavior
in an academic setting. This is most relevant
at the university level as it relates to
providing credit to other people when using
their ideas. In simplest terms, it requires
acknowledging the contributions of other
people. [1] A study conducted at Jesuit
University, United States suggested that
upper division and second-degree nursing
students are less tolerant and more
condemnatory of cheating than younger
students. It also concluded that frequent
dishonest classroom behaviors included
asking and telling other students what was
on the exam whereas the most frequent
dishonest clinical behavior included
documenting findings that were not assessed
or findings that were false. [2] Another study
done in Pakistan pointed out a significant
high level of prevalence of academic
dishonesty at higher education level. [3]
A longitudinal study results reflected
that the nursing students get accustomed to
taking academically deceitful actions. The
students come to consider their cheating
behaviors as acceptable and normal, thereby
stabilizing them. [4] A concept analysis
identifies that the defining attributes to
academic integrity among nursing students
are honesty, ethical behavior and
professionalism. Antecedents to integrity
include an academic culture of respect,
characterized by student-faculty
Anoopa K.R et.al. Academic Integrity among Nursing Students
International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 111
Vol.9; Issue: 12; December 2019
relationships derived from mutual respect,
trust and a shared learning goal. It also
indicates the importance of faculty as role
models of integrity as paramount in building
a culture of honesty. [5]
A descriptive cross-sectional study
conducted in Duzce University; Turkey
revealed that academic dishonesty was at a
medium level in nursing students. It also
identified that, though many of the students
know cheating in university exams is
unethical and are punishable, significant
number still believe cheating to be socially
acceptable. [6] A quantitative study results
revealed differences in frequency of
engagement in and attitudes toward
academic dishonesty by gender, semester in
the program, and ethnicity. The study also
concluded that significant relationships were
found among peer behavior, personal beliefs
and values, and frequency of engaging in
academic dishonesty. [7] Another study done
in Ontario
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