Training Young Researchers in Study Habits and Research Skills: Panacea for Examination Malpractice and Plagiarism in Higher Education in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated training young researchers in study habits and research skills as the panacea for examination malpractice and plagiarism in higher education in Cross River State, Nigeria. The 12-week study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, following the instruction of twelve topics in the training course. A total of 40 undergraduates from the two public universities in Cross River State during the 2020/2021 enrollment session was selected from four faculties through stratified random sampling technique was selected to participate in the study. The experimental group was trained in research skills and reading habits while the control group was taught using a conventional approach. Data from the research skills and reading habits questionnaire were collected to assess the effectiveness of the training within the institutional context. The research design employed a pre-test post-test control group experimental design, with two research questions and two null hypotheses tested. The findings indicate that students' study skills are moderately effective but can be improved, particularly in areas such as note-taking, summarizing, and stress management to reduce instances of accidental or intentional plagiarism. The study also reveals that training in research skills significantly enhances students' research abilities. Furthermore, there is no significant difference in the reported involvement in examination malpractice between male and female students when controlling for other factors, but a significant difference exists in reported plagiarism involvement between lower and higher year undergraduate students. The study concludes that training young researchers in proper study habits and research skills can effectively address examination malpractice and plagiarism issues in higher education. Therefore, it recommends the incorporation of mandatory study skills and research methodology workshops/courses into university curricula in Cross River State.