Prevalence and Predictors of Examination Malpractice and Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students in Ebonyi State

Benjamin E Usulor; Oyibe Ogene Azubuike; Veronica Onwanyi; Iduma Angela; Chukwuma Ogbonnaya Chukwu; Patrick Eni Eluu; Chinenye Maryrose Aleke; Augustina Nnenna Awoke

doi:10.53103/cjess.v6i6.589

Authors

Benjamin E Usulor Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Oyibe Ogene Azubuike Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Veronica Onwanyi Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Iduma Angela Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Chukwuma Ogbonnaya Chukwu Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Patrick Eni Eluu Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Chinenye Maryrose Aleke Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
Augustina Nnenna Awoke Ebonyi State University, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53103/cjess.v6i6.589

Keywords:

Examination Malpractice, Academic Performance, Prevalence, Predictors, Social Studies, Ebonyi State

Abstract

Examination malpractice stands as a severe threat to the validity of academic performance. Despite the impact of this menace across the globe including Nigeria, relatively little research has examined this phenomenon among students of Ebonyi state. Our study explored prevalence and predictors of examination malpractice and academic performance in Social Studies in Ebonyi State. The study adopted a cross-sectional design to draw data from secondary school students in Ebonyi state. The participants were recruited using a multistage sampling procedure, while a semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to analyze data on extent and impact, prevalence, Causes, Influence and Preventive strategies of Examination Malpractice among Secondary Students. While, Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were used to analyze association, prevalence and socio-demographic Characteristic of the respondents. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. The results reveal that prevalence of examination malpractice among secondary school students in Ebonyi State was high (67.5%). Moreover, predictors such as Parental occupation showed significant associations. Thus, traders (AOR = 2.412, 95% CI: 1.01–5.76, p = 0.048) and artisans/others (AOR = 4.892, 95% CI: 1.55–15.42, p = 0.007) were more than 2 times likely to be involved in examination malpractice compared to those whose parents were civil servants. Resident type was not a significant predictor at p > 0.05, although students from rural areas (AOR = 2.184, 95% CI: 0.89–5.36, p = 0.081) had higher odds compared to those from urban areas, but the difference was not statistically significant. These findings highlight the potential for adopting 4-prong approach to tackle examination malpractice and restore academic integrity including scale-up school-based intervention policy/laws for strict legal & institutional sanctions, cultural & Re-orientation campaigns, robust technological & administrative infrastructure, comprehensive curriculum & teacher quality reforms.

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