Work

Comparing recommended sanctions for lapses of academic integrity as measured by Dundee Polyprofessionalism Inventory I: Academic integrity from a Saudi and a UK medical school

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are varying perceptions about professionalism and academic integrity, both being influenced by regional, cultural, contextual and religious factors worldwide. Very few studies have compared the variations in understanding about academic integrity among medical faculty and students. This study explored the existing understanding of academic integrity in a Saudi and a UK medical school. METHODS: The validated Dundee Polyprofessionalism Inventory I: Academic Integrity was administered online to the students and staff of a Saudi and a UK medical school. The data was analysed by SPSS software and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of 1005 invitees, 411 completed the survey; response rate of 40.8%. The findings showed significant variations towards opinions of lapses of academic integrity. Mean rank scores showed that faculty of both schools were stricter than students and clinical staff were stricter than non-clinical staff (p < 0.05). The UK students were stricter for 16 and Saudi students were stricter for 10 lapses of academic integrity (p < 0.05). Yearly stratifications of students' recommendations identified a pattern of learning process as indicated by higher sanctions by senior students than their junior counterparts. CONCLUSION: This study identified some congruence as well as some significant dissimilarities in the sanctions for academic dishonesty. These data can be utilized for standard setting of professionalism that will facilitate the migration of International Medical Graduates by promoting their fitness to practise, especially probity and honesty, as defined by the General Medical Council of UK.

Source: Journal of the Chinese Medical Association

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcma.2018.04.001

Author: Salman Yousuf Guraya

Institution: University of Sharjah

Language: English

Topic: Academic integrity and plagiarism

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Directorate for Biological Sciences