PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the Perceived Influence of Examination Malpractice on Students Academic Performance in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State. The design of the study was a descriptive survey. Two research questions guided the study. The population of the study was 1,922. The sample of the study was 397 comparing of 201 male and 196 female students from the selected faculties in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The instrument for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire titled “Perceived Influence of Examination Malpractice on Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire (PIEMSAPQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha technique which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.72. Mean (x) and standard deviation (SD) were used to answer the research questions while t-test statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found among other things that: lack of moral development among students, Unfair treatment of students, Inadequate teaching methods, students low self-esteem, corruption and dishonesty in society, poor examination security, students fear of failure, insufficient assessment guidance and lack of effective preparation among students are the causes of examination malpractice and that erosion of ethical values among students, relying on dishonest means during examinations hinders the development of critical thinking skills, students involved in cheating do not fully grasp the matter, effects on students understanding, undermines the principles of academic integrity, dependence on examination malpractice weakens students’ resilience in facing academic challenges, lack of responsibility for one’s education and toxic learning environment which hinders academic atmosphere are effect of examination malpractice.
Based on the findings, the study recommended that School Management Board should integrate moral education programs into their curricula to foster ethical values and character development among students, addressing the root cause of examination malpractice and that School Management Board should develop and enforce robust institutional policies that uphold academic integrity principles, including measures to prevent, detect, and address examination malpractice effectively.