Guest Author - D. Lynn Byrne, Ph.D.
Cheating isn’t just a problem in elementary and secondary schools. It’s a major problem in colleges and universities—even at the graduate level. Just take a look at the reports from the popular press:
it’s not a pretty picture.
Why do graduate students cheat? For the same reasons all other students cheat—they want to make the best grades they can. Pressure for performance is a major issue for students in many graduate programs. Grades can mean the difference between advancement and removal from a program.
What can you do about cheating? Now that’s a sticky question. Do you report it? Do you say something to the cheaters? Do you keep your silence? Graduate school is grueling. You don’t need the added pressure of policing the actions of others. But, you do have an obligation to yourself and other students if you know for a fact that cheating is occurring. One or more unnaturally elevated scores can skew the grading curve.
Until next time! Lynn Byrne
