Explaining Factors Influencing Pugilism in Higher Education: A Case of Agricultural College at Razi University

Most scholars admit that cheating has become an epidemic phenomenon across universities and higher education institutions. Moreover, the widespread act of cheating among students has almost created a mindset which in turn developed a change of attitude. The purpose of this survey study was to explain factors influencing cheating among a proportional random sample of 298 graduate and undergraduate agricultural students at Razi University. A questionnaire underwent content validity using valid resources and an alpha coefficient of 0/78 proved to be a reliable research instrument. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four factor structures explaining 62.84% of cheating variance: Weak educational planning, institutionalization of cheating among students, lack of effective management leading to weak approach towards those caught in act of cheating, and environmental factors. Moreover, results showed that there was no relationship between the act of cheating and students’ age, gender, major field of study, and their level and course of study. However, there was a negative and yet significant relationship between the act of cheating and students’ year in college and GPA. Based on the results, it is recommended that university officials take preventive measures in order to control the diffusion of such unethical act of cheating across universities.