Challenging cheating in higher education: a review of research and practice

Abstract

This article presents a literature review of published research focused on challenging cheating in higher education. A brief overview of the literature on cheating in higher education is offered, showing the global interest in the topic, the varied ways in which it has been defined, and evidence on its incidence and causes. The range of methods that have been used or proposed to challenge cheating in higher education—institutional policy, training for staff and students, changing assessment practices, identifying at risk students, use of technology and multi-faceted approaches—are then considered, together with the available evidence on their suitability and effectiveness. The article concludes that the evidence is not strong and that a great deal more effort and research is required to effectively challenge cheating in higher education.