Ethics of Cheating: Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Honesty

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a transition from face-to-face instruction to virtual teaching modalities. This transition brought about an increase in the incidence of academic dishonesty as well as the evolution of novel methods of cheating. Additionally, the use of online “help” sites as platforms that enabled academic dishonesty became more prevalent. This chapter presents a historical perspective of academic dishonesty while addressing the motivation and cultural norms that lead students to cheat. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the evolution of cheating and the role ethics plays in maintaining academic integrity.