Understanding Today's Students: Entry-Level Science Student Involvement in Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty and its implications to learning within and outside of the academic arena are of historical concern to college faculty. Faculty generally associate actions and attitudes displayed in the academic environment as indicators of behavior throughout the student's life. As technology and societal changes occur, student perceptions and involvement in dishonest activities tend to change. With rapid increases in--and broadening availability of access to--unrestricted sources of information, the lines of honest versus dishonest behavior have become more complicated. This is exacerbated by reports of highly respected public figures having displayed dishonest behavior. It is imperative to understand students in the context of these issues in order to address concerns. The study reported here provides information needed for effective development of strategies to address issues of academic dishonesty and helping students understand the effects that their actions could have on their lives. (Contains 5 figures.)