Contract cheating is taking place around the world. Since 2014, nearly 16 percent of students have reported paying someone to complete an assignment for them, according to a new study.
Phil Newton, a professor at Swansea University, analyzed 71 samples from 65 different studies dating back to 1978. The surveys Newton selected asked participants whether they’d ever paid an online service -- often called an “essay mill” or “paper mill” -- or a third party. Combined, the samples included 54,514 participants.
The study, published in Frontiers in Education on Aug. 30, found that an average of 3.5 percent of students reported engaging in contract cheating across the sample, but almost five times as many students, 15.7 percent, reported engaging in contract cheating in the past five years. Currently, contract cheating is legal in the United Kingdom and banned in the U.S. and New Zealand.
Newton noted some caveats in his discussion. Cheating tends to be underreported generally, and over a third of the studies included did not make it clear to students that their responses were anonymous. Also, over 70 percent of the students used convenience sampling methods and almost 20 percent did not make clear their sampling methods, therefore the results may not be representative of the entire higher education student population.
The full study can be found here.
Opinions on Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed’s Blog U
Inside Higher Ed Careers
Hiring? Post A Job Today!
Browse Faculty Jobs
Browse Administrative Jobs
Browse Executive Administration Jobs
College Pages
Popular Right Now
Common App's new data show overall gains in applications, but not from first-generation, low-income
Survey finds professors worried about dropouts, particularly among disadvantaged students
A Nobel laureate shares 10 rules for being an effective mentor of young research scholars (opinion)
Changes in SAT prompt discussion of future of the College Board
Higher Education Events Calendar & People
Nathan Grawe answers questions about his new book and projected demand for higher education
Mental health professionals are themselves facing mental health challenges
Biden's free college plan would increase enrollment at public colleges but hurt privates
Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education
Expand commentsHide comments