Influence of attitudes toward curriculum on dishonest academic behavior.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine possible associations between students' self-reported behaviors and opinions towards academic dishonesty, and their attitudes towards curriculum, assessment, and teaching within the pharmacy program.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed and distributed to undergraduate (pre-licensure) students at 4 schools of pharmacy in Canada, including students enrolled in the international pharmacy graduate program.


RESULTS
More than 80% of respondents indicated they had participated in one or more of the act of academic dishonesty described in the questionnaire. A weak to moderate correlation was found between students' attitudes towards pharmacy education and their self-reported behaviors related to academic dishonesty.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed previous findings suggesting widespread academic dishonesty as well as a hierarchy of values with respect to students' perceptions regarding severity and importance of academic dishonesty. Despite methodological limitations inherent in examining academic dishonesty, there is a definite need to continue to examine this important issue. While this study indicated only a moderate correlation between attitudes towards curriculum and dishonest behaviors, the problem of academic misconduct is multifactorial and will require ongoing study.
Austin
Zubin
Z
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Canada. zubin.austin@utoronto.ca
Collins
David
D
Remillard
Alfred
A
Kelcher
Sheila
S
Chui
Stephanie
S
D001290:Attitude; D002170:Canada; D003479:Curriculum; D008192:Deception; D004989:Ethics; D004994:Ethics, Pharmacy; D006801:Humans; D013339:Students, Pharmacy