Examination malpractices among trainee nurses in Ghana :The case of College of Nursing Training in Central Region

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the various forms, causes, effects and the controlling measures of examination malpractices and the strategies that could be employed to address the menace among the students of a Nursing Training College in the Central Region of Ghana. This was a mixed methods research underpinned by pragmatism. Specifically, the sequential explanatory mixed method design was employed for the study. The population for the study comprised the tutors, nonteaching staff and the nurse trainees of the Nursing Training College consisting of 1,443 students and 97 staffs ( total: 1,588). For the quantitative phase of the study, 120 trainee nurses and 30 teaching and non-teaching staff were selected through stratified simple random sampling technique to respond to a structured questionnaire. The qualitative phase of the study involved semi-structured interview with 10 participants (comprising: 2 academic officers, 1 administrative manager, 4 tutors and 3 students.),who were purposively selected. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviation) while the qualitative data was used to support, clarify, expand and explain the key quantitative findings when necessary. The study revealed that the forms of examination malpractices in the Nursing Training College included sending prepared answers by teachers to students during revision, and copying other students work, among others. The study also revealed that some of the causes of examination malpractices were lack of effective supervision, inadequate guidance and counselling, and inadequate preparation on the part of the students with regards to examinations. The controlling measures included maintenance of culture of discipline in schools, effective examination committee, and adequate guidance and counselling. The study concluded that ineffective teaching and learning, and inability to complete the syllabuses by tutors of the college, as well as poor attitudes of students towards examination perpetuates this menace at the college. It was recommended, among others that school leadership should do well to intensify teaching and learning, improving monitoring and supervision of students’ academic performances, and reinforcing deterrent disciplinary measures as well as reinforce guidance and counselling to motivate students to independently write examination.