TRAINING YOUNG RESEARCHERS IN STUDY HABITS AND RESEARCH SKILLS: PANACEA FOR EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AND PLAGIARISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN CROSS RIVER STATE

Abstract

Examination malpractice and plagiarism are currently problems affecting productivity in the educational system of Nigeria and their proliferation in higher education has been frowned at by concerned education stakeholders, including the present researchers. In 2012 Nigeria ranked number one in the world examination malpractice index, and malpractices in both internal and external examinations in our schools is very worrisome. In  like vein plagiarism  among young researchers has reached a height, that if attention is not given to its eradication may  continue to truncate the process of generating creative and innovative driven outputs in our higher institutions. Plagiarism is a negative academic research behaviour that contributes to fallen standard of education. The researchers have identified poor study habits and research skills as critical factors responsible for this indiscipline behavior among young researchers. The purpose of this research is to establish the effect of training in study habit skills, using rational emotive therapy techniques to recreate cognition about involvement in malpractice and, plagiarism training in application of SQ3R study method, and training in selected research skills critical for the development of positive academic research behaviour among undergraduate researchers in universities in. Cross River State. The research design will be the pre-test post-test control group experimental design/ Four research questions will guide the research and two null hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population will comprise' all final year undergraduate students in the two public universities in Cross River State during the current 2020/2021 session. A proportionate sample often percentage (10%) of final year students from each of the two universities will be selected, and then, those who complete the treatment the training in study habit and research skills) and complete the post-test will be admitted in the study. Data will be. generated using" Undergraduate Students Study Skills/Involvement in Plagiarism Questionnaire" (UGSSS/1PQ). Data generated from the participants will be analysed using Descriptive and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) statistical procedure. Expected results should reveal a positive effect of rational emotive behavior therapy (REST), SQ3R on poor study skills and research skills training on negative research behavior. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of this research and the work disseminated as scheduled through publication and executive.

SPONSORED BY TETFUND INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH FUNDING 
(UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR)