Catching Cheating Students

C-Tier
Journal: Economica
Year: 2020
Volume: 87
Issue: 348
Pages: 885-900

Authors (2)

Ming‐Jen Lin (not in RePEc) Steven D. Levitt (University of Chicago)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a simple algorithm for detecting exam cheating between students who copy off one another's exams. When this algorithm is applied to exams in a general science course at a top university, we find strong evidence of cheating by at least 10% of the students. Students studying together cannot explain our findings. Matching incorrect answers proves to be a stronger indicator of cheating than matching correct answers. When seating locations are randomly assigned, and monitoring is increased, cheating virtually disappears.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:econom:v:87:y:2020:i:348:p:885-900
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25