Akram Sanagoo - PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor of Community Health Nursing„ Education Development Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran
Soheyla Kalantari - MSN, Faculty at School of Paramedical Sciences, Laboratory Science Research Center Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran
Noshin Kashefi - BS in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran
Mohamad Zaman Majnoni - BSN, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran
Leila Jouybari - PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor, Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran

Background and Objectives Cheating is a common phenomenon that can undermine the credibility of university tests and certificates. Cheating is a more sensitive issue among medical students. The present study was conducted to investigate the performance and attitude of undergraduate students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran towards cheating, as well asthe factors that influence cheating. Methods The present descriptive analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۱۴ on ۵۲۴ female and male undergraduate students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. The data were collected using a valid and reliable ۶۴-item questionnaire on performance and attitude towards cheating with a Cronbach’s alpha of ۰.۸۸. The obtained data were then analyzed using descriptive tests and the χ test. P < ۰.۰۵ was set as the level of statistical significance. Results Demographically, women made up ۵۸% of the study population. In terms of ethnicity, ۶۸.۵% of the population wereFars, ۲۴.۶% Turkmen, and the rest were other ethnicities. A total of ۷۰.۶% of students had negative attitudes towards cheating. In terms of performance, ۵۷.۱% of students admitted to cheating. Significant relationships were observed between the attitude and performance of students (P = ۰.۰۰۱). The relationship between gender and occupational status, and attitude and performance was also found to be statistically significant (P < ۰.۰۵۰). Male and employed students had more positive attitudes towards cheating and actually did it more frequently than their female counterparts. Conclusions The majority of nursing students were against cheating in terms of attitude and performance. Nevertheless, to better understand this behavior and develop coping strategies, further studies should be conducted on the phenomenon of cheating in other academic activities among medical students.

cheating, Attitude, performance, Exam, Student, Nursing