Detecting and Preventing Cheating in Exams Evidence from a Field Experiment

Cagala T, Glogowsky U, Rincke J (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Journal of Human Resources

Book Volume: 59

Pages Range: 210-241

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0620-10947R1

Abstract

This work examines how to detect, document, and prevent plagiarism in exams. First, to identify and quantify plagiarism, we propose methods that compare similarities in multiple-choice answers between seat neighbors and nonneighbors. Second, we document cheating in undergraduate exams. Under baseline monitoring, at least 7.7 percent of the row-wise neighbor pairs plagiarized. Pairs composed of academically weaker students cheated more. Third, using a field experiment, we demonstrate that close monitoring eliminated cheating. By contrast, signing an honesty declaration doubled cheating relative to the control group. Complementary experiments suggest that the declaration backfired because it weakened the social norm of academic integrity.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johannes Rincke Lehrstuhl für Volkswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Wirtschaftspolitik

Involved external institutions

Deutsche Bundesbank DE Germany (DE) Johannes Kepler Universität (JKU) Linz AT Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Cagala, T., Glogowsky, U., & Rincke, J. (2024). Detecting and Preventing Cheating in Exams Evidence from a Field Experiment. Journal of Human Resources, 59(1), 210-241. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0620-10947R1

MLA:

Cagala, Tobias, Ulrich Glogowsky, and Johannes Rincke. "Detecting and Preventing Cheating in Exams Evidence from a Field Experiment." Journal of Human Resources 59.1 (2024): 210-241.

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