Stories behind Academic Cheating: Cheaters’ Perspective

The real-life stories of criminology students who have committed academic dishonesty are examined in this research study, Stories Behind Academic Cheating: Cheaters’ Perspective. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach to investigate the contextual and personal elements that impact cheating behaviors, the rationalizations and explanations used, and the perceived repercussions of these behaviors. In-depth interviews with criminology students were used to gather data, and Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenology was used for analysis. Peer pressure and social pressure, the pressure to succeed drives academic cheating, procrastination and lack of preparation, reasons, and rationalizing cheating as a necessity or norm were the four main themes that surfaced. The results show that academic dishonesty frequently results from a vicious cycle of stress and unethical behavior caused by outside pressures, poor preparation, and internal defenses. Through stress management programs, time management workshops, and a supportive academic atmosphere, educational institutions can address the underlying causes of cheating and promote a culture of academic integrity, as this study highlights. This study intends to help develop more potent interventions to lessen academic dishonesty and encourage moral behavior by comprehending the viewpoints of people engaged.