Incidences of Examination Malpractices in Ebonyi State University

Abstract

The study examined the incidences of examination malpractices in Ebonyi State University. It aimed at investigating the incidences of examination malpractices across the various faculties; departments; and gender of the students. It also explored the extent the incidences of examination malpractices are dependent on the various faculties, departments and gender.  The study covered a period of seven academic sessions – 2005/2006 – 2012/2013. The population comprised 25,709 undergraduate students of the university. All the 995 undergraduate students that took part in examination malpractices in the sessions under review were used as the sample for the study. The instrument used for data collection was the official documented report of the senate treated cases of examination malpractices in the university for the seven academic sessions under review. The document was used to categorize the malpractice cases across faculties and departments and in accordance with gender of the students involved and years of occurrences. The study employed descriptive survey design. Based on the specific purposes of the study, four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The research questions were answered using frequencies and percentages. Having exposed the incidences of examination malpractices in the University over the years will enable the University Management have a clear picture of the increasing rates of examination malpractices and as such alert the Management on the need to take urgent steps to curb the malice. Also, having informed the Management about faculties and departments that are inflicted with the malice, the Management’s focus will be better sharpened and the direction of action becomes clearer.

Keywords: Examination, malpractices, students, attitudes and behaviours