Causal modelling of testing and assessment ethics among proctors of public examinations in Oyo state

Abstract

PurposeUpholding assessment ethics are common concerns during annual public examination performance appraisal. Previous studies have focused more on examination stakeholder: testees outside proctors however, assessment ethics cannot be studied excluding proctors variables therefore, the study investigated consistency of a structural equation modelling of security, environment, professionalism, testing and assessment ethics.Design/methodology/approachEx-post facto design was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was employed to choose 90 proctors drawn from 45 colleges. Proctors Examination Ethics Questionnaire (reliability = 0.86) was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analysed using path analysis at 0.05 significant levels.FindingsOut of the six hypothesised paths significantly explaining the consistency of the causal model. Test security, environment and professionalism accounted for both direct and indirect effects on assessment ethics. All model fit indices were established to explain testing and assessment model.Research limitations/implicationsFew proctor variables were studied, therefore assessment ethics may not be explained other than through proctor variables considered in this study.Practical implicationsAssessment ethics may not be violated if test security, testing environment and professionalism are not cared for during test administration as shown in the study.Social implicationsIt added to knowledge base in ethical areas of assessment, a 21st-century proctors in upholding testing and assessment ethics, security, environment and professionalism are to be considered.Originality/valueThere was a positive causal effect of security, environment and professionalism on testing and assessment ethics among proctors in public examinations.