WHAT PREDICTS CHEATING AMONG STUDENTS? A CROSS CULTURAL COMPARISON BETWEEN ONLINE AND FACE-TO-FACE COURSES

Abstract

Many researchers have dwelled on the phenomenon of academic dishonesty (AD) or unethical behaviors within the academic environment. While this phenomenon can be explained by various factors, the current study investigates and presents a new structural model for determinants of AD. The predictors of AD that were found in the context of traditional and distance-learning courses in higher education are types of motivation, students' attitudes, personality traits, and cultural backgrounds (presented by country according to Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory). This study was conducted using a survey method of 2,357 students studying in six different academic institutes. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) the results indicate that the surveyed students tend to engage less in AD in online courses than in face-to-face courses. This notion is contrary to the traditional views and the research literature, therefore, having important practical implications for educators, institution and researchers dealing with course design development and institutional policy concerning pedagogical uses of digital technology.