Exploring the Experiences of Contract Cheating and use of Chat GPT by Students as Encountered by University Teachers

Abstract

This study's objective is to advance scholarly understanding of what is known about contract cheating in Pakistan and other nations. This study intended to raise awareness of contract cheating. This study also aims to explore teachers’ experiences regarding students’ contract cheating and their thoughts about it. This study followed qualitative paradigm using thematic analysis as its main design. Data collected from multiple universities of Punjab province Pakistan. Participants were encouraged to record an interview of minimum 40 minutes. A sample consisted of (n=20) participants both male and female. Data collected from university teachers of Pakistan who were currently serving. Sample was selected using purposive sampling technique. For this study Semi-Structured Interview was used to collect data. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze the recorded interviews and 8 super themes were generated out of that data. These eight super themes named academic misconduct, basis of contract cheating, teachers' assessing skills of contract cheating, consequences of contract cheating, effective controlling strategies of contract cheating, challenges faced by teachers, Chat GPT and the negative impact of students' contract cheating experiences on teachers' mental health.