Examination Malpractice Research Articles

Correlation between Election and Examination Malpractices as Perceived by Adults in Delta State

The research investigated the Electoral Malpractice as a deviant behaviour among adults in Delta State, Nigeria. The researcher related this deviant behaviour to examination malpractice in the University. The focus was to find out whether election malpractice in the outer society has affected the morality of our youths as seen in the involvement of students in examination malpractice, another deviant behaviour among Nigeria youths in our Universities. The purpose was to find out whether election malpractice has some influence on examination malpractice. It was an inferential study that used the survey design, guided by three research questions and one hypothesis. Data was collected using questionnaire. The population was about 2.5 million adults, and the sample used was 500 male and female. The data collected was analysed with percentage frequency and correlation method of data analysis. The result showed that when malpractice is exhibited during elections, it could affect the moral development of the growing youths and also encourage examination malpractice. The researcher recommended that elections should be conducted in a free and fair situation; there should be citizenship education where free and fair elections is emphasised, with emphasis also on non-participation of students in examination malpractice. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n3p209

Conducting Examinations in Nigerian Polytechnics: A Case Study of Kwara State Polytechnic

This paper posits that the conduct of examinations in any educational institution can make or mar the institution, Kwara State Polytechnic inclusive. This is because examinations constitute the hub of any institution. First, the place of polytechnic education in the growth and development of the country is examined. Next, is a consideration of examinations and the factors involved in the successful conduct of examinations in the polytechnics. The issue of examination malpractice is focused upon and the paper is rounded off by highlighting the way forward.

Counselling Strategies for Curbing Examination Malpractices in Secondary Schools in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study investigated the Counselling strategies for curbing “Examination Malpractices” in Secondary Schools inEnugu State Nigeria. The researcher used three research questions. The Design used was a descriptive survey design.Sample consisted of 335 respondents comprising principals (N= 19), PTA secretaries (N =19), teachers (N=276) andCounsellors (N=21) selected through stratified random sampling. A researcher–developed questionnaire containing27 items was validated by experts, subjected to reliability tests using Cronbach Alpha coefficient method to collectthe data. Data was analyzed using mean ratings which revealed that out of the 27 proposed strategies investigated,the respondents agreed that 24 personal/social, educational and teachers’ forum strategies will be useful incounselling students against examination malpractice in secondary schools in Enugu State. This means that unlessseveral social, educational and teacher sensitization strategies are vigorously implemented, School counselling mightnot contribute much in the fight against Examination malpractice as one and evil practice in Secondary EducationSector. Recommendations included that Educational Management bodies, principals and PTA should sponsor andmount campaigns through the use of posters, bulletin boards, seminars and jingles to change student’s attitudetowards examination malpractices.

Reducing Examination Malpractices in Nigerian Schools through Effective Continuous Assessment (C.A) Techniques as an Alternative to One- Shot Examination in Osun State, Nigeria

The study assessed the usage of effective Continuous Assessment Techniques in reducing examination malpractices in Nigerian schools rather than the use of one shot examination in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. The population for the study were teachers (in training and service.) The purposive sampling techniques were used to select the schools and the stratified random samplings were used to select the samples. The samples included 200 participants, consisting 100 males and 100 females Year II students-teacher in training from Osun state College of Education Ilesa and teachers in service in secondary schools. The study used descriptive survey design. The instruments used were Students’ Questionnaire on Effective Continuous Assessment Techniques (SQECAT) and the Secondary School Teachers Questionnaire on Effective Continuous Assessment Techniques (SSTQECAT). Two research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The hypotheses were tested using simple percentage and independent T-test statistical techniques. The results of the analysis showed that there is a significant difference in students’ and teachers’ adoption of Continuous Assessment (CA) as an alternative effective technique in reducing examination malpractices in Nigerian schools. On the basis of the results it was recommended among others that it would be better to adopt the effective and proper implementation of the techniques of Continuous Assessment in Schools as an alternative to one shot examination in Nigerian Schools which would help in reducing examination malpractices, make students work harder and make teachers become more innovative

The trouble with Nigerian universities: bogus policy and speculative ideology

There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerian public universities and no less privately owned universities are facing a lot of challenges. Such problems that now characterise our universities include indiscipline, poor funding and inadequate facilities, examination malpractices, demonstration and rioting, secret cult activities, drug addiction, sexual immorality, theft, corruption and maladministration to mention just a few. Added to this is the problem of policy inconsistencies, mis-match and lack of a well articulated ideology that will underpin Nigerian educational system and ultimately stimulate national development and growth. The paper attempts to show, among others, that the challenges confronting contemporary Nigerian Public Universities do not lie on the alleged abdication of functions by lecturers. Rather the problem lies squarely on government’s insensitivity in terms of proper funding and provision of facilities, coupled with policy mis-match and ideology are responsible for the problems in the University sub-system and education in general. An unwavering commitment by the government and all the stakeholders to the goal of education and the deployment of moral education provide the best option for the resolution of the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian public universities.

Factors Contributing to Examination Malpractices at Secondary School Level in Kohat Division, Pakistan

The purpose of this research work was to identify the factors that contribute to examination malpractices at secondary school level. The target population of the study was all the heads, teachers and students at secondary school level in Kohat Division (Pakistan). The study was delimited to the 80 male secondary schools. The sample for this study was made up of 840 respondents which were selected through simple random sampling technique. A self-developed semi-structured questionnaire was used as research instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics i.e., simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics i.e., ANOVA were applied for the statistical analysis of data. The findings of the study explored that there are various factors that contribute to examination malpractices i.e., corruption; poor implementation of examinations rules; students and parental threats; no fear of punishment; inadequate preparation for examination; poor invigilation; collusion; disloyalty of examination bodies; fear of failure; poor morale and economic depression of supervisory staff etc. Furthermore, the findings of the study revealed that bringing of unauthorized materials to examination hall; sending of prepared answers to students by teachers and parents; impersonation; questions and papers leakage; cheating; and scripts changing are the various forms of examination malpractices. Based on findings, it was recommended that examination rules should be implemented effectively and those who were found guilty should be given severe exemplary punishment according to the examination’s rules.

Perceived psycho-social and school factors contributing to malpractices in internal examinations among secondary school students in Kakamega-Central Sub-county: Implications for counseling

Examination malpracticeis rated as one of the greatest problems that undermine the foundation of educational practicein Kenya today. The magnitude of the problem and the dangers posed bythe phenomenon have been identified by stakeholders as national malady that requires drastic solution. Thus, this study attempted to investigate the view of students about the psycho-social and school causes of and roles of guidance and counselling in addressing the malpractices in internal examination in Kakamega Central Sub-county. A total of three hundred and fifty nine students were randomly sampled from twelve schools selected at random for the study. Data were collected using researcher developed questionnaires. Four research questions were raised and answered using frequency counts, simple percentage and means scores. However, results indicated that poor study habits, laziness, lack of self confidence, family pressure to excel and host of others were considered by students as the major psycho-social causes ofexamination malpractice. Inadequate preparation for examination,poor teaching, overcrowded exam rooms and poor invigilation were considered by respondents as the causes of examination malpractice. On the roles of the school guidance and counselling units most of the respondents indicated that the G&C unit exists and talks to them about self esteem, peer pressue management, self confidence and that exam cheating is wrong. However, most of them did not agree that G&C can assist students involved in exam cheating to change. The psycho-social factors are the predisposing factors to exam malpractices while the school factors are the environmental causes. Most schools have active guidance and counselling units. However, these units do not seem to be effective in addressing the problems of malpractices in internal examinations in secondary schools. Based on these findings, it was recommended that students and teachers should be given enlightenment campaign that will highlight the consequences of examination malpractice. Also, government should sensitize all citizens to basic ethical values of selfworth, dignity of labour, integrity and personal responsibility. Professional guidance counselors should be employed and posted to secondary schools to help students in self understanding and self management as well as the development of effective study habits in relation to how they can utilize their assets and manage their abilities for optimal development. Further, all schools should be adequately equipped and staffed to address issues of overcrowding and poor invigilation. Key words: Examination malpractice, secondary schools students, counselling.

Identifiable Corrupt Practices Among Staff and Students of Secondary Schools in Delta State of Nigeria

This survey research was conducted to ascertain if there are any identifiable corrupt practices in secondary schools in Delta State of Nigeria. It also sought to catalogue the evils which corruption has done to Secondary Education in the country. Staff and students of secondary schools were randomly selected as respondents to a validated research open-ended questionnaire designed for the investigation. Results of data analyses revealed that there are several corrupt practices in secondary schools, the most frightening one being examination malpractice. They also agreed that several evils have been introduced into the school system by corruption. A lowering of academic standard occasioned by the reluctance of students to read has resulted in poor examination performance among students. These and other social evils being practised in the system by both staff and students are depreciating the quality of education at the secondary level. It is suggested that teachers be given proper orientation to dissuade them from perpetuating evils in the school system. Teachers and parents are to combine to build up good character in children

Moral Intelligence: An Antidote to Examination Malpractices in Nigerian Schools

Moral intelligence is the capacity to apply moral principles to one's own values, goals and actions (or the ability to see what is right and integrate it into one's life and actions) It is considered as the individual capacity to understand right from wrong, to have strong ethical convictions and to act on them to behave in the right and honourable. This study examined the level of moral intelligence among senior secondary school students in Osun State. It also investigated whether there is a relationship between moral intelligence and students' perception of examination malpractice as well as examined the influence of variables such as students' gender and family structure on their moral intelligence. The study adopted survey method. The sample size was 240 Senior Secondary School class two students (Mean Age =15.62, SD =1.26)in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria . Two instruments were used to collect data for the study. They were: Students' Moral Intelligence questionnaire adapted from Moral Competency Inventory (MCI) by Martin and Austin (2008) and Students Perceptions of Examination Malpractice in the Society (SPEM) which was adapted from Ejide (2005). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Test, t-test and ANOVA. The results showed that 2.6% of the students had low level of moral intelligence, 12.6% of them had moderate level, 38.7% of them had high level while 46.1% of the students had very high level of moral intelligence. Result also showed that moral intelligence significantly correlated with students' perception of examination malpractices (N = 230, r = -.371 p < 0.05). Also, significant difference were found in male (M=86.27, SD=14.144) and female students (M= 80.87, SD= 16.61; t (228) = 2.637, p =.009) moral intelligence while there was also a statistically significant difference at the p < .05 level in moral intelligence scores for students under the five different living arrangement: F (4, 221) = 3.90, p =.004. The result of Post-hoc comparisons using the Turkey HSD test indicated that the mean score for students living with mother only (M=77.18, SD=19.81) was significantly different from those living with father and mother together (M=85.89, SD=14.39). Mean score for students living with father only (M=73.69, SD=18.79) was significantly different from those living with father and mother together (M=85.89, SD=14.39). It therefore concludes that moral intelligence enhancement training could have positive and an enduring impact on their decision making process regarding involvement in examination malpractices.

Correlates of Examination Malpractice among Secondary School Students in Oyo State, Nigeria.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlates of examination malpractice among secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria. The instrument used for the study was tagged Predisposing Factors towards Examination Malpractice Questionnaire (PFTEMQ). The instrument was administered to 300 students randomly selected from 20 multi staged selected secondary schools of five randomly selected local government areas of the state, whereby 15 students were randomly selected from each school. Two research questions were raised and one hypothesis generated. Pearson product Moment Correlation was used to answer research question one, while Multiple Regression Analysis was used to answer research question two; and the. T- Test statistics was used to analyze the only hypothesis generated. The result showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between some independent variables (students, parental, societal and government factors) on examination malpractice. However, teachers’ factor was not significant. Also there was a combined effect of the independent variables to the prediction of examination malpractice. The Government non- implementation of examination malpractices decree and lack of effective supervision of students during examination cause examination malpractices. The study also indicated that societal preference for paper qualification; inadequate preparation for examination, lack of self confidence, ill equipped schools, lack of good study habits cause examination malpractice. On the basis of the result, it was recommended that concerted efforts should be made at improving the level of discipline among students through counseling services in the school. Also parents should not mount pressure on students to pass at all cost, termination of appointment of any examination officials and teachers involved in examination malpractice should be in force to serve as a deterrent to others. Key words: Examination malpractice, students, teachers, parents, government, society.

The Moderating Effect of Self-Motivation on the Relationship between Parent’s Socio-Economic Background and Children’s Academic Performance at Nigerian Universities

The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of self-motivation on the relationship between parent’s socio-economic backgrounds on their children’s academic performance at Nigerian Universities, which has received little attention. Issues concerning University undergraduate youths have become a cause for concern among stakeholders in the project called ‘education in Nigeria’. Such issues like expulsion from school due to examination malpractice or cultism, withdrawal due to poor academic performance and production of half-baked graduates have forced many concerned people to question the role of teachers as well as parent’s socio-economic background. The paper adopted a survey methodology to solicit responses from 150 final year University students (2012/2013) of Business Faculties in the north, east and west regions of Nigeria; using stratified proportionate random sampling. After data cleaning, 130 data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression. One of the results indicated that student’s self-motivation (hard work) and rich parental socio-economic background are needed to achieve academic success; though self-motivation appears to be a more critical success factor. The paper recommended that the government and the authorities of Nigerian universities should intensify effort at counselling the students on the need to study hard in order to achieve academic success rather than relying on their parents’ socio-economic background. This will improve teaching and learning in Nigerian Universities. The study is limited to University Business Faculties in Nigeria. Future studies can investigate other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Combating Examination Malpractices in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in Ghana

annual basis, WAEC furnish Ghanaians with a stunning number of candidates who are caught cheating in their examinations. WAEC cancels the results of such candidates and even hand some culprits over to the Police for prosecution at the courts. But cheating continues and in most cases, increases year by year. There has been allegations and counter-allegations as to how and why these examination malpractices is on the increase in Ghana. In an attempt to unravel the mysteries of malpractices surrounding the conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE), funding was sought from education-oriented Non- governmental Organisations (NGOs) and recruited thirty fresh graduates from Ghanaian universities and guided them to gain teaching appointments in schools that are noted by the community to indulge in examination malpractices, but for one reason or the other, has never been caught red-handed. The accounts of these thirty recruits spread across all the ten regions of Ghana forms the basis of this paper.

The Challenges of Value Re-Orientation in Nigeria’s Tertiary Education System

The decay in the society has affected the values and moral character fabric of our tertiary education system. This has manifested in many social vices, which include Cultism, Drug abuse, Examination malpractice, Indecent dressing, Sexual harassment among others. This paper discussed the changes that have affected our ethical and moral values over the years in our tertiary education system and proffered suggestions on the way forward. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p221

The Perceived Corrupt Practices of Academics: What Conditions Promote Them?

The study delved into corrupt practices perceived to be pervasive in academic institutions especially that of academics. The exercise was motivated by the paucity of information on where the alleged practice emanates from and the conditions in academic institutions perceived to be promoting the practice. The cross-sectional survey utilised students from two universities in Ghana. Questionnaire was the main research instrument used for the data gathering. The instrument was validated through peer review and pilot testing and the data was analysed using SPSS version 20. The study disclosed that students perceived favouritism, nepotism and examination malpractices to be the major forms that corruption of academics takes in the institutions and the majority of the respondents perceived staff to be the initiators of the acts. The survey also revealed that majority of the respondents believed that fear of victimization, fear of school authority and bureaucracy in dealing with such issues are some conditions that promote the perpetuation of the acts in the institutions. The study, therefore, recommends an enactment and enforcement of codes of conduct in the institutions to ensure high ethical standards. It is envisaged that the study would be beneficial to the Ministry of Education, university authorities, academic staff, and students of tertiary educational institutions. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n1p189

VIRTUAL LEARNING IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Currently, local area network (LAN) is commonplace in the Nigerian tertiary institutions and can be a good platform for distributing and disseminating instructional materials. Thus, this paper proposes to improve the quality of academics through online provision of learning resources based on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS); wired and wireless access to contents; and availability of the system 24/7. The system is based on third party software or FOSS called phpBB and Windows 2003 Server Active Directory Services. Both are installed and configured on an intranet. It has a discussion forum which is accessed through Hypertext Transfer Protocol using a web browser; and directory services for files/folders upload and download based on a set of privilege levels in Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) as a way of improving security. The system leads to the development of a virtual campus in Covenant University. Also, it has helpedimprove the quality of teaching by making lecture notes availably on the intranet, lecturer/studentinteraction, accessibility to teaching materials and reduce student’s idle time. The system helps in no small measure to correct the problems plaguing the educational sector such as examination malpractice, decline standards of education and cultism, as students are gainfully engaged in academic and social activities. The creation of a virtual campus would enhance the level of e-participation, and e-readiness of the graduate for the employment market. In particular, it bridges the divide between the developed and the developing nations.

Students’ Perception of Causes and Effects of Examination Malpractice in the Nigerian Educational System: The Way Forward for Quality Education

In an attempt to study the perception of university students on the causes and effects of examination malpractices in Nigerian Educational System, two research questions were raised and analysed for possible answers using a survey research design method. Four hundred university students were randomly selected from the research area. A questionnaire consisting of twenty-five (25) items was constructed, and duly validated by the researchers for the study. The results obtained from the study indicated that a test-retest reliability index ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 were feasible. It was also indicative that societal preference for paper qualification, lack of positive self concept, lack of effective study skills, inadequate preparation andlaziness are some of the causes of examination malpractice among university students. The identified effects included discouragement of candidates from studying hard, denial of admission to deserving students, underachievement in labour market and overall reduction in quality of education. Based on this, it was concluded that personal and societal factors could cause examination malpractice and the society is likely to suffer from low productivity because of this malaise, examination malpractice.

Examination Fraud: The Bane of Educational Development in Benue State

Examination, an integral part of the teaching and learning process, has been used for ages as a means of ascertaining the status of achievement of individual learners. However, for some time now, some individuals have avoided the rigours of study and instead depended on fraudulent means to pass examination by indulging in examination malpractices thereby distorting its validity and reliability. Dearth of qualified teachers, inadequate facilities, underfunding of the educational sector, undue emphasis on certificates, corruption and inadequate preparation are some factors responsible for the proliferation and sustenance of this malaise, which distorts the assessment of students’ academic performance. The attendant consequences have dangerous psychological implications for the individuals and families besides posing grave socio-economic challenges to Nigeria’s development. This paper recommends, among others, that the Government and stakeholders should adequately fund education to ensure provision of infrastructure, adequate staffing and reintroduction of boarding facilities in all post-primary institutions as steps towards curbing this social ill in Benue State and Nigeria.

Academic Achievement Motivation and Attitude of Senior Secondary School Students towards Examination Malpractice in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study aimed at finding out whether academic achievement motivation influenced the attitude of senior secondary two students towards examination malpractice. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to direct the conduct of the study. The sample for the study comprised 350 students of both sexes drawn by means of the multistage random sampling technique.A researcher-made instrument entitled Attitude Towards Cheating in ExaminationQuestionnaire (ATCEQ) was used in collecting data on students' attitude towards examination malpractice while the Aberdeen Academic Motivation Inventory (ACMI) was used in assessing academic achievement motivation.Theresults showed no significant difference between the academic achievement motivation as well as the attitude towards examination malpractice of male and those of female students. It was also found that students' academic achievement motivation influenced their attitude towards examination malpractice. These results were discussed and suggestions were proffered for educational practice.

Teachers’ Perception on Laws and Education in Nigeria

This study sought to find out the perception of teachers on the applicability of the federal laws on education. 1,480 teachers were randomly selected from 3 geo-political zones in Nigeria. A 20 item questionnaire titled “Applicability of Federal Laws in Nigeria” (AFLEN) was designed by the researcher. This instrument was validated by experts in law as well as Test and Evaluation. The instrument was further subjected to a test of reliability using the test-retest method and the data were analysed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The questionnaire were administered by the researcher as well as 158 research assistants. They were collected on the spot. The data collected were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The findings of the study include federal laws are made concerning education but not properly implemented by the various agencies as perceived by teachers. Laws on Examination malpractice, National Teachers Institute, Teachers Registration, free and compulsory education are not properly handled as expected by teachers. Recommendations were therefore made to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the federal laws on education.

Performance Based Teaching and Evaluation Process: An Effective Strategy for Controlling Examination Malpractice in Sciences, Vocational and Technical Education in Nigeria

This paper identifies the mode of assessing learning outcomes in sciences, vocational and technical education in order to prevent examination malpractice. It also discuss the virtues of performance based teaching, checklisting and rating scales as effective strategies for controlling examination malpractice among students in schools and colleges in Nigeria. It was recommended that performance based evaluation process, through the use rating scale, checklisting and monitored continuous assessment should be adopted for assessing students learning outcome in sciences, vocational and technical education subject areas in order to prevent and control examination malpractice and its vices in schools and colleges in Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n2p317