Cheating by pharmacy students: Perceptions, prevalenceand comparisons

Authors

  • R Harris Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth,Portsmouth, UK
  • Paul Rutter Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK

Keywords:

Pharmacy education, students, dishonesty, cheating

Abstract

Dishonesty has been part of the educational system for as long as students have been educated. The extent to which this happens varies between institution and course studied. Recent work has shown the prevalence of dishonesty by pharmacy students to be high. This study aimed to add to this body of evidence and determine what students believed the penalty should be if caught. Staff and undergraduate students at Portsmouth University, United Kingdom were asked to complete a survey consisting of 16 scenarios that reflected dishonest activity. Results revealed 53% of students had participated in dishonest behaviour, with students more likely to cheat in coursework than written examinations. Students suggested relatively lenient punishment for acts of dishonesty, although fourth year students felt cheating in examinations warranted removal from the course.  This was in line with academic views.  Portsmouth students also exhibited lower levels of dishonest behaviour compared to previously published rates. 

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How to Cite

Harris, R., & Rutter, P. (2018). Cheating by pharmacy students: Perceptions, prevalenceand comparisons. Pharmacy Education, 5(1). Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/87

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Section

Research Article