Moral Reasoning and Cheating in Examination among Secondary Students in Ghana

Abstract

The study intended to investigate the moral reasoning behind secondary students cheating at examinations in selected secondary schools within one school district in Ghana. The research design is descriptive survey. A sample of 420 was selected by simple random sampling method from three Senior High schools (SHS). Data came from a questionnaire with a demographic information section and a moral scenario on cheating at examination with 16 items on different Likert scales. With that moral scenario, judgment mean scores, moral reasoning simple sum scores, P-scores, are all calculated and aggregated to give levels of moral reasoning. The levels of moral reasoning are further analysed along with pre-examination confidence level (PECL) scores to answer both a research question and test of a hypothesis. Results show majority of the students' developing a normality in moral reasoning at the Kohlberg's stage 3 and 4 (Conventional stages). PECL data shows tendencies of aligning behaviours to opportunity available to help. Recommendations include practical measures by education providers to educate students on risks and consequences of cheating, stake holders advocacy on examination malpractices, and policy direction leadership to give significant attention to cheating at examination in secondary schools in Ghana.