Contributing Factors in Academic Ethics Practices among Lecturers of Islamic Higher Education

Abstract

The phenomenon of deterioration in academic ethics among lecturers is alarming in Indonesia. This is reflected in the decline in the value of integrity and the value of professionalism among lecturers. Therefore, this study focused on the contributing factors in academic ethics practices among lecturers of Islamic Higher Education in Aceh, Indonesia. This quantitative study method used descriptive survey whereby the data were collected using questionnaire. The understanding of integrity was measured according to the Hadith of the Prophet by Hanafi Hamdani (2014), professional values aspect was measured using Wilson (2010) survey questionnaire on moral reasoning and ethical decision making and academic ethics practices were measured using the College Teaching Behaviors Inventory (CTBI) developed by Braxton & Bayer (2003). Stratified sampling technique was used as the sampling method where 439 lecturers were randomly selected from five Islamic Higher Education institutions in Aceh, Indonesia. Data were analyzed based on multiple regressions. The findings showed that there was no significant effect of understanding of integrity [p≥ .05 (.085)] and professional values [p≥ .05 (.140)] on lecturers' academic ethics practices. However, the findings of this study also showed that a greater understanding of integrity contributed to the change in academic ethics of Islamic Higher Education lecturers. The implication of this study is that the aspect of understanding of integrity and professional values can be enhanced through courses and training organized by the top management of Islamic Higher Education institutions. These aspects should be emphasized among the lecturers so that they can serve as role models for the younger generation.