Describes a 1920s study by Hartshorne and May, the "Character Education Inquiry," and summarizes its three-volume report, "Studies in the Nature of Character," about students' moral development and ethical instruction. Emphasizes findings that discussing hypothetical dilemmas and supplying moral knowledge are less effective…

Two opposite views of the relations between moral cognition and moral action are described, their contrasting assumptions and implications are clarified, and the available empirical literature is reviewed. Research relating moral reasoning to real-life moral behaviors is summarized, with special attention given to design, measurement, and…

Portfolios, demonstrations, exhibitions, displays, and video attestations all challenge traditional test theory, which is focused on individuals in isolation. However, teachers are expected to work collaboratively and resolve problems within a social context. Instead of limiting collaboration when evaluating a teacher's site-based portfolio,…

Examined attitudes of 19 British university students concerning plagiarism and cheating. Found strong moral basis for student perceptions, focusing on values such as friendship, trust, and good learning; lack of clarity concerning what constitutes plagiarism; and influence of factors such as alienation from the institution, large classes, and…

Reports on a study that extends social psychological theories of deviance to explain academic cheating. Uses self-report data from college students to examine the theories of deterrence, rational choice, social bond, and social learning formulations of cheating. Supports the claim that cheating is a serious problem in higher education. (SLM)

Colleges and universities can avoid student litigation if they adopt clearly defined objectives, grading procedures, classroom expectations, and appeals procedures. (Author/MSE)

College administrators may use state and federal law and disciplinary policy to prevent selling and/or purchasing prefabricated term papers. The federal government may enjoin term-paper companies' activities involving use of the mails for fraudulent purposes. States may enjoin sale of term papers violating education or criminal codes. (MSE)

Campus computing officials are working to improve security against computer hackers because of concerns about privacy, accidental or intentional damage to systems, and impediments to legitimate system users. Increasingly, public law enforcement authorities are called in but do not always take the problem seriously. (MSE)

Discusses results of a questionnaire asking students' opinions and experiences concerning academic cheating. Examines the prevalence, situational and dispositional determinants, and techniques of cheating. Concludes that pressures for good grades, student stress, ineffective deterrents, condoning teachers, and an increasing lack of academic…

Analysis of survey data from 6,096 students in 31 colleges and universities found that academic dishonesty was associated with the existence of a campus honor code, student perceptions of the certainty of being reported, severity of penalties, and cheating among peers. (Author/MSE)

Various theories are circulated concerning Stanford University's (California) controversy over use of federal research funds. Issues involved include billing the government for inappropriate charges, the rapid growth of problems, public relations failures, and poor administration. The president's role in addressing the crisis is a central concern.…

With a recent court decision, defamation joins plagiarism, copyright infringement, and scientific fraud as grounds for litigation against academic reporters, universities, and other research institutions. Research institutions should maintain high research standards and learn about defamation law, and may need to adopt policies to ensure accurate…

Sixty-three preservice teachers were asked to respond to the idea of cheating while administering a standardized test to their students. Over half said they would cheat under certain conditions, such as benefit to the students or if the test was inappropriate. Cheating considered acceptable included giving hints, rewording items, and teaching to…

A survey of 392 American and 276 Japanese college students concerning academic dishonesty found both similarities and differences in attitudes and behaviors, and investigated behavior patterns, types of cheating, attitudes about and responses to own and others' cheating, and deterrents. Explanations for cross-cultural differences and implications…

Although there are new forms of cheating among college students, particularly technology-related, overall cheating has increased only modestly. Significant increases in test cheating are occurring among women and in unpermitted collaboration among students on written work. Also, students report engaging in a wider variety of test-cheating…