The Psychological Dimensions And Measures For Repressing Examination Malpractices Among Adolescents In Secondary Schools In Anambra State, Nigeria
Examination Malpractice
Okeke Nkechi Uzochukwu Ph.D
Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Anene Anthony Ndubueze
Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Umennabuike Endurance Chinagorom
Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Chukwuemeka Esther Uchechukwu
Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Inyang Caroline Trevor
Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Abam Edet Ikpi
Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Keywords: Psychological dimensions, Measures, Examination malpractice, Adolescents
Abstract
This study determined the psychological dimensions and measures for repressing examination malpractices among adolescents in secondary schools in Anambra state- Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population comprised all the 5,827 teachers and 261 principals from the 261 secondary schools in Anambra state. A sample of 1,200 teachers and 100 principals was randomly drawn from the 6 education zones using simple random sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was researcher-structured questionnaire titled “Psychological Dimensions of Examination Malpractice” (PDEM). The validity of the instrument was determined by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha method and alpha coefficient of 0.80 was obtained. Data collected were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation for answering research questions and Z-test for testing the hypotheses. The result of the study revealed that 14 psychological factors were identified by teachers and principals to be among those associated in examination malpractice while 9 measures were also identified as effective for quelling cheating in examination. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that building of good social skills, emotional skills and cognitive restructuring of students should be embarked upon.