Religious Commitment and Superstitious Beliefs about Examinations as Determinants of Secondary School Students' Involvement in Examination Malpractices

Abstract

This study investigated the combined and relative influence of secondary school students' religious commitment and superstitious beliefs about examinations on involvement in examination malpractices. A sample of 208 students randomly selected from the senior secondary school three classes in eight randomly selected Secondary Schools in Ijebu Area of Ogun State was used for the study. Three questionnaires were designed and used to collect the relevant data. Data were analysed using multiple regression, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and t-test. Combined influence of students' religious commitment and superstitious beliefs about examinations accounted for a significant percentage of 13.6% of the total variance in examination malpractice behaviours (R2 = 0.136). Male students engage more in examination malpractice behaviours than their female counterparts. Counsellors and teachers should teach students on the value of honesty and moral integrity.

Keywords: Examination malpractices, Religious Commitment Superstitious beliefs, Examinations, Religion.

The Nigerian Journal Of Guidance And Counselling Vol. 12 (1) 2007 pp. 47-56