Taye Dame, Semela Tesfaye, Assefa Samuel
School of Teacher Education, College of Education, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Hawassa, 8090, Ethiopia.
School of Teacher education, College of Education and Institute of Policy & Development Research (IPDR), Hawassa University, Awassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, 8090, Ethiopia.
F1000Res. 2025 Jul 11;13:955. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.150357.3. eCollection 2024.
This study aimed to validate a comprehensive and psychometrically sound instrument-the Propensity to Cheat Scale (PCS)-designed to measure undergraduate students' propensity toward academic dishonesty in Ethiopian universities. Based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior, the PCS was validated to assess students' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control related to various forms of cheating, including cheating on tests and examinations, cheating on assignments, cheating on research work (plagiarism), and theft and mutilation of library materials.
The present study employed an explanatory research design using a questionnaire based on the Propensity to Cheat Scale (PCS). The questionnaire was administered to 500 university students (male = 367 [73.4%]; female = 133 [26.6%]) selected from three Ethiopian public universities between November and January 2022. In order to measure the underlying variables of propensity towards cheating, a factor model is developed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis was employed to validate the students' perceived PTC. The internal consistency of the PTC scale was assessed using reliability analysis, and validity evaluations were conducted to confirm the scale's discriminant and convergent validity.
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results revealed a good fit to the data, and the internal consistency of the PCS was found to be strong, providing a reliable measure of students' propensity for cheating. Validity evaluations, including discriminant validity and convergent validity, confirmed the validity of the scale. The average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability values also supported the scale's convergent validity. The multidimensional concept of the PTC was supported by a four-factor solution consisting of 26 reliable and valid items.
The findings of the study demonstrate that the scale has also provided sufficient evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. By establishing discriminant and convergent validity, as well as reliability, through different validation procedures, the study has provided strong evidence for the effectiveness of the PCS as an instrument for determining whether university students are likely to engage in cheating behavior.
本研究旨在验证一个全面且在心理测量学上合理的工具——作弊倾向量表（PCS），该量表旨在衡量埃塞俄比亚大学生学术不诚实的倾向。基于阿杰恩的计划行为理论，PCS经过验证可评估学生与各种作弊形式相关的态度、主观规范和感知行为控制，这些作弊形式包括考试作弊、作业作弊、研究工作作弊（抄袭）以及图书馆资料盗窃和损毁。
本研究采用基于作弊倾向量表（PCS）的问卷进行解释性研究设计。该问卷于2022年11月至1月期间对从埃塞俄比亚三所公立大学选取的500名大学生（男性 = 367人[73.4%]；女性 = 133人[26.6%]）进行了施测。为了测量作弊倾向的潜在变量，使用探索性因素分析（EFA）建立了一个因素模型，并采用验证性因素分析来验证学生感知到的作弊倾向（PTC）。使用可靠性分析评估PTC量表的内部一致性，并进行效度评估以确认该量表的区分效度和聚合效度。
验证性因素分析（CFA）结果显示与数据拟合良好，并且发现PCS的内部一致性很强，为测量学生的作弊倾向提供了可靠的指标。包括区分效度和聚合效度在内的效度评估证实了该量表的效度。平均提取方差（AVE）和组合信度值也支持该量表的聚合效度。由26个可靠且有效的项目组成的四因素解决方案支持了PTC的多维概念。
该研究结果表明，该量表也提供了充分的聚合效度和区分效度证据。通过不同的验证程序建立区分效度和聚合效度以及可靠性，该研究为PCS作为一种确定大学生是否可能参与作弊行为的工具的有效性提供了有力证据。
