The MyMaster scandal involving several prominent NSW universities in 2015 highlighted the proliferation
of contract
cheating (or ghostwriting) of student assignments as a significant problem facing
all Australian universities.
Associate Professor Tracey Bretag and Dr Rowena Harper of
the University of South Australia are now investigating this phenomenon through an
Office for Learning and Teaching Strategic Priority Project. Project partners include
colleagues
from
the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, Griffith University, and Swansea University (UK).
Contract Cheating and Assessment Design: Exploring the Connection is a nationwide project aiming
to explore
if and how authentic assessment may be used to assure academic integrity.
The investigators are
particularly concerned with exploring:
- the
role of assessment
design as both a cause of and possible solution to
the problem of contract cheating; - if there are
particular assessment strategies that can be used to deter students from resorting to contract cheating; and - whether
the risk of contract
cheating can be “designed out” of assessments altogether.
In exploring these issues, the project focuses on the views and experiences of two critical stakeholders in academic integrity – students and teaching staff. Participants will take part in surveys to further investigate the nature and scope of contract cheating. The project will also analyse data that demonstrate which types of assignments are most commonly contracted out to third parties.
It is anticipated
that the findings emerging from the project will improve our understanding of this critical issue. In doing so, the project team hope to develop
proactive, evidence-based learning and teaching strategies to support universities in future.
For more information, please visit the project website. There is also the opportunity for staff to participate in the study via an anonymous survey at the educational integrity intranet site.
