Remorse a factor in cheaters' success, student's study says

By Jacob Fullmer

March 13, 2008 | Cheaters never prosper, but remorseful cheaters could be getting away with it more often than others.

New Utah State University undergraduate research is focusing on how people caught cheating are judged if they feel bad about what they did. Margo Farnsworth, a sophomore in business and an undergraduate research fellow, presented her research on this topic to the Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research in Orem recently. UCUR is an annual event intended to recognize the best of Utah's undergraduate research.

A repeat attender of the event, Farnsworth, also presented her findings to state legislators last month.

Her research included more than the average research project. First, she reviewed as many previously held studies relating to her material to verify she would be conducting original research. After coming up with a hypothesis, she surveyed 159 students from the John Huntsman College of Business. Then she compiled her results and, going beyond her efforts from last year's project, created an oral presentation to share with state legislators and conferences.

"I don't think I could have done that as a sophomore in college," said Ken Bartkus, professor of Business Administration.

Farnsworth said that most of the students who participate in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, NCUR, are usually juniors and seniors with more experience than her.

Despite her age, she hopes to take her research to the next level by publishing her findings in a peer reviewed journal. Publishing is no small thing -- as any professor seeking tenure understands.

For her study, Farnsworth created a scenario where a student, Pat -- a specifically gender neutral name, met with a professor. At one point, the professor leaves and the student is momentarily left alone in the office. Then Pat notices a copy of an upcoming test and leans over the desk to read some of the questions. Some students surveyed ended their scenario there while two other groups received additional information.

One-third of the students were told that the cheater became physically ill, experiencing headaches and a lack of sleep, following a realization of what happened. The final group was told Pat justified the event by believing it was the professor's fault for leaving the test in an accessible location.

Every student surveyed felt the act itself was unethical. But those who were told of Pat's remorse were more likely to feel the person wasn't unethical and he/she wouldn't cheat again. Those in the self-justification group were more likely to disagree.

Educational entities could use these findings when considering the creation or enforcement of an honor code. There could also be implications for corporations to consider.

"It's been proven that people who cheat in college are more likely to cheat in their profession," Farnsworth said.

Studies such as these are more than a side project for undergraduate researchers. They represent meaningful information in a student's prospective field.

"It's research we probably would have done any way," Bartkus said.

Students can use these research opportunities to work closer with faculty, raise their resume above the crowd and provide evidence of competent research skills when applying for further education. It's a unique opportunity according to Joyce Kinkead, USU's associate vice president for research. She said the benefits available to undergraduate researchers are "immeasurable."

"It is unusual that there's so much focus on undergraduate research," Kinkead. "We're a leader in the country."

Between 2004 and 2006, Kinkead said the university decided to allow more students an opportunity to participate in meaningful research. USU employed 1,315 students in their undergraduate research programs. That number doubled from previous years of 702 and, the year before that, 278. Close to $165,000 is invested annually in the associated programs.

Some of that money is used to support undergraduate research fellows like Farnsworth. Incoming freshman with a presidential or dean's scholarship can apply for this program each year. Due to the fellows program, Farnsworth was one of a group of four to be the first freshman to attend the NCUR last year.

But funding isn't available only for incoming freshman. Continuing or transfer students can appply for Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grants. The Vice President for Research Office will fund between 50 and 60 URCO grants within this year. Projects range from research on the blue tongue virus that affects many grazing animals to a student visiting Nova Scotia to study the poetry collection of a particular author.

Farnsworth's advisor, Professor Bartkus, also has a distinguishable support for undergraduate research. The American Association of University Administrators recently announced they would honor him for his article modeling how universities can better involve undergraduates in research projects. Also, he told Farnsworth he would continue helping her with research when she has transferred to another school because of her upcoming marriage.

While Farnsworth attended last year's NCUR in the poster category, she wasn't accepted this year in the more selective oral presentation category. But, with everything on her plate, she feels fine about not missing a half-week of school. Between research, normal studies and planning a wedding, it's good to know her family supports her.

Referring to her fiance, she said, "My dad loves Tim. Maybe more than me."

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