RHEMA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AND PUBLISHING IN UNIVERSITIES IN BAYELSA STATE.

Pereghebofa Selekekeme Ekinadese, Alfred Singer Ramoni

June 13, 2025

Citation

RHEMA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES , Vol. 11 (1) (2025) , pp. 76-87

Details

ISSN: 979-37999
Published: June 13, 2025
Status: Published

Abstract

This study investigated the level of adherence to academic integrity principles in research and publishing among students and lecturers in universities in Bayelsa State, as well as the influence of academic integrity on research quality and excellence. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving a sample of 350 respondents, comprising 220 students and 130 lecturers. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-test. Findings revealed that both students and lecturers generally perceived a high level of adherence to academic integrity within their institutions, although lecturers reported significantly higher mean ratings than students. Furthermore, both groups agreed that academic integrity positively influences the credibility, originality, and quality of research outputs. T-test analyses showed statistically significant differences in perceptions between students and lecturers on both the level of adherence and the influence of academic integrity on research quality (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, the study recommends enhanced academic integrity education, stricter enforcement of policies, and increased institutional efforts to promote a culture of ethical research. The study concludes that fostering academic integrity is essential for improving the overall quality and reputation of research outputs in higher education institutions in Bayelsa State.

Download Full PDF

This article is available as a PDF download