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Detecting and Preventing Cheating in Exams: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Author

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  • Tobias Cagala
  • Ulrich Glogowsky
  • Johannes Rincke

Abstract

This work examines how to detect, document, and prevent plagiarism in exams. First, to identify and quantify plagiarism, we propose methods that compare similarities in multiple-choice answers between seat neighbors and nonneighbors. Second, we document cheating in undergraduate exams. Under baseline monitoring, at least 7.7 percent of the row-wise neighbor pairs plagiarized. Pairs composed of academically weaker students cheated more. Third, using a field experiment, we demonstrate that close monitoring eliminated cheating. By contrast, signing an honesty declaration doubled cheating relative to the control group. Complementary experiments suggest that the declaration backfired because it weakened the social norm of academic integrity.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Cagala & Ulrich Glogowsky & Johannes Rincke, 2024. "Detecting and Preventing Cheating in Exams: Evidence from a Field Experiment," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(1), pages 210-241.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:1:p:210-241
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0620-10947R1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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