Academic Dishonesty among Health Sciences University Students in Malaysia: A Single Centre Cross-Sectional Observation

Academic dishonesty (AD) is an unethical act by students, ranging from plagiarism to completing assignments and assessments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia transitioned from face-to-face to online learning modes, raising concerns about AD committed by university students. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of AD during both learning modes. A single-centre cross-sectional study was employed, recruiting third-year students from three faculties at a health campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki, with written consent obtained from each participant and an approval was granted by the internal research ethics board. An online questionnaire covering academic environment, specific behaviour, and engagement in cheating was administered to 228 students aged 21 to 26. Although results indicated a high awareness of AD and faculty cheating policies, a high prevalence of AD persisted regardless of the learning mode. Apparently, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to curbing AD. Although students may have the relevant knowledge in their fields of study, there is no guarantee they will refrain from committing AD. Policies and solutions need to be accessible, fine-tuned, and periodically reviewed for effectiveness. Additionally, students’ high perception of the seriousness of AD and awareness of cheating did not align with the high prevalence of AD in both face-to-face and online learning modes.