Abstract
M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)
The main objective of this study was to determine the attitude towards and prevalence of academic
dishonesty amongst a cohort of industrial psychology students at a South African university during
2013. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of 418 first-, second and
third year undergraduate students, as well as honours and masters postgraduate level students
enrolled in the industrial psychology course at a South African tertiary institution. Qualitative
questions in section 1 and 2 of the questionnaire were formulated by the researcher based on previous
literature, while section 3 consisted of a questionnaire developed by Austin, Collins, Remillard,
Kelcher and Chui (2006) for comparative purposes. The results showed that there were no differences
between genders, age groups, years of study or registered degrees. Comparisons were found between
the perceived academic dishonesty by peers and self-reported academic dishonesty of students. Rich
qualitative conceptualisations and descriptions were obtained with regards to the ways, reasons,
perceived risks and perceptions of seriousness of academic dishonesty.