Observed Cheating and the Effects of Random Seat Assignment
Track
Research Proposal / Assessment of Student Learning
Abstract
Using a multiple choice exam design that allows us to empirically measure the degree to which students copy answers from their peers, we conduct an experiment to determine whether random seat assignment deters cheating relative to a control group of students allowed to choose their seats. Our results demonstrate a significant decline in measured cheating within the assigned seating sample. This study contributes to the literature by providing a measurement of actual cheating frequency among students, as opposed to relying on reported cheating in anonymous surveys, and by demonstrating that an easily implemented deterrent can significantly reduce instances of cheating.
Session Format
Presentation Session
Location
Room 5
Recommended Citation
Yates, Michael C.; Godbey, Jonathan; and Fendler, Richard, "Observed Cheating and the Effects of Random Seat Assignment" (2017). SoTL Commons Conference. 69.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2017/69
Observed Cheating and the Effects of Random Seat Assignment
Room 5
Using a multiple choice exam design that allows us to empirically measure the degree to which students copy answers from their peers, we conduct an experiment to determine whether random seat assignment deters cheating relative to a control group of students allowed to choose their seats. Our results demonstrate a significant decline in measured cheating within the assigned seating sample. This study contributes to the literature by providing a measurement of actual cheating frequency among students, as opposed to relying on reported cheating in anonymous surveys, and by demonstrating that an easily implemented deterrent can significantly reduce instances of cheating.
