Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior

© 2015 Rajah-Kanagasabai and Roberts. This study examined the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior model, augmented by descriptive norms and justifications, for predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students. A convenience sample of 205 r...

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Main Authors: Rajah-Kanagasabai, C., Roberts, Lynne
Format: Journal Article
Published: Frontiers Research Foundation 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18612
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author Rajah-Kanagasabai, C.
Roberts, Lynne
author_facet Rajah-Kanagasabai, C.
Roberts, Lynne
author_sort Rajah-Kanagasabai, C.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2015 Rajah-Kanagasabai and Roberts. This study examined the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior model, augmented by descriptive norms and justifications, for predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students. A convenience sample of 205 research active Western Australian university students (47 male, 158 female, ages 18-53 years, M = 22, SD = 4.78) completed an online survey. There was a low level of engagement in research misconduct, with approximately one in seven students reporting data fabrication and one in eight data falsification. Path analysis and model testing in LISREL supported a parsimonious two step mediation model, providing good fit to the data. After controlling for social desirability, the effect of attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms and perceived behavioral control on student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices was mediated by justifications and then intention. This revised augmented model accounted for a substantial 40.8% of the variance in student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices, demonstrating its predictive utility. The model can be used to target interventions aimed at reducing student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-186122020-07-22T08:25:25Z Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior Rajah-Kanagasabai, C. Roberts, Lynne © 2015 Rajah-Kanagasabai and Roberts. This study examined the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior model, augmented by descriptive norms and justifications, for predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students. A convenience sample of 205 research active Western Australian university students (47 male, 158 female, ages 18-53 years, M = 22, SD = 4.78) completed an online survey. There was a low level of engagement in research misconduct, with approximately one in seven students reporting data fabrication and one in eight data falsification. Path analysis and model testing in LISREL supported a parsimonious two step mediation model, providing good fit to the data. After controlling for social desirability, the effect of attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms and perceived behavioral control on student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices was mediated by justifications and then intention. This revised augmented model accounted for a substantial 40.8% of the variance in student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices, demonstrating its predictive utility. The model can be used to target interventions aimed at reducing student engagement in research misconduct and questionable research practices. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18612 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00535 Frontiers Research Foundation fulltext
spellingShingle Rajah-Kanagasabai, C.
Roberts, Lynne
Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title_full Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title_fullStr Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title_full_unstemmed Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title_short Predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented Theory of Planned Behavior
title_sort predicting self-reported research misconduct and questionable research practices in university students using an augmented theory of planned behavior
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/18612