Media literacy has been gaining traction as a part of higher education curricula to support learning as educational institutions are recognizing the importance of developing students' media literacy skills. However, students' emotional reactions towards media literacy can be vastly different and, in turn, may impact their perception of truth and…

An increase in scholarly publishing has been accompanied by a proliferation of potentially illegitimate publishers (PIPs), commonly known as "predatory publishers." These PIPs often engage in fraudulent practices and publish articles that are not subject to the same scrutiny as those published in journals from legitimate publishers…

In the technologically enhanced learning environment of today, discussions of truth are greatly impacted by the way student interactions are aligned with how information is found using online sources. Starting points for discussions on truth begin with a greater understanding of the information students interact with and the ways that they seek,…

Contract cheating sites advertise that they provide high quality, undetectable, bespoke work delivered in a timely manner to students purchasing their assignments. This paper tests contract cheating sites' promises about the products they sell. We built on previous reported research examining contract cheating sites' persuasive features which were…

Long before "fake news" became a catchphrase, misguided beliefs about scientific truths undermined the free exercise of democracy and personal decision-making. Journalistic norms such as providing false balance in the name of "objectivity," deliberate manipulation by vested interests, and the human tendency toward confirmation…

This article discusses the role of university academics as researchers. In present-day society which touts instant gratification, the primary role of a university is being undermined. In Malaysia, academics no longer teach and research as they please but are 'guided' by government agencies and influenced by the priorities of funding agencies. One…

This article describes a discussion-based approach for teaching college students to identify the characteristics of ethical journalism and scholarly writing, by comparing fake news with credible information in a strategically planned slideshow. Much has been written on the need to instruct our students about disinformation. This librarian shares a…

This case study research explored options for improving trust between journalists and their communities within the boundaries of collegiate community journalism education. Data collected from students who completed a community journalism class, the instructor of that class, and journalism professionals who engaged with the class was analyzed using…

This study examines and compares word of mouth (WOM) behaviour among university students in Syria. To date, little is known about this important phenomenon which is surprising given the deregulated education market in Syria that allows for private universities to compete for students alongside public universities. Using a mixed methods research…

Students cheat. For the field of public relations, which continually struggles for credibility, the issue of student cheating should be paramount, as the unethical students of today become tomorrow's practitioners. Through a survey of 170 public relations majors, this study examined the importance students place on the Public Relations Society of…

Investigated the impact of breaching confidentiality on perceptions of counselor trustworthiness. Subjects (N=200) heard audiotape counselor-client interactions that culminated in a decision by the counselor to breach or maintain confidentiality. With highly serious client problems, breaching confidentiality was associated with significantly lower…

This chapter deals with the constraints that may inhibit authenticity, whether explicit and known to all or more insidiously embedded in our educational culture.

The harm that can transpire during and after the fieldwork phase of research is examined, and the ethical obligations of qualitative researchers to respond are explored. Recognition that research has the potential to harm has led the research community to develop philosophical guidelines for ethical conduct. Qualitative researchers have also…

A report on the integrity of higher education concludes that public confidence in higher education has eroded in recent years, due to both internal and external problems. The ethical behavior of educators can and should be called into question whenever breaches of conduct occur, such as: plagiarism by both teachers and students; exploitation by…