Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to examine the various forms, causes, effects and the
controlling measures of examination malpractices and the strategies that could be
employed to address the menace among the students of a Nursing Training College in
the Central Region of Ghana. This was a mixed methods research underpinned by
pragmatism. Specifically, the sequential explanatory mixed method design was
employed for the study. The population for the study comprised the tutors, nonteaching
staff and the nurse trainees of the Nursing Training College consisting of
1,443 students and 97 staffs ( total: 1,588). For the quantitative phase of the study,
120 trainee nurses and 30 teaching and non-teaching staff were selected through
stratified simple random sampling technique to respond to a structured questionnaire.
The qualitative phase of the study involved semi-structured interview with 10
participants (comprising: 2 academic officers, 1 administrative manager, 4 tutors and
3 students.),who were purposively selected. The quantitative data was analysed using
descriptive statistics (means and standard deviation) while the qualitative data was
used to support, clarify, expand and explain the key quantitative findings when
necessary. The study revealed that the forms of examination malpractices in the
Nursing Training College included sending prepared answers by teachers to students
during revision, and copying other students work, among others. The study also
revealed that some of the causes of examination malpractices were lack of effective
supervision, inadequate guidance and counselling, and inadequate preparation on the
part of the students with regards to examinations. The controlling measures included
maintenance of culture of discipline in schools, effective examination committee, and
adequate guidance and counselling. The study concluded that ineffective teaching and
learning, and inability to complete the syllabuses by tutors of the college, as well as
poor attitudes of students towards examination perpetuates this menace at the college.
It was recommended, among others that school leadership should do well to intensify
teaching and learning, improving monitoring and supervision of students’ academic
performances, and reinforcing deterrent disciplinary measures as well as reinforce
guidance and counselling to motivate students to independently write examination.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Educational Administration and
Management, Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the
School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Educational Administration and Management)
in the University of Education, Winneba.
MARCH, 2022