IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite

Cheating or Surviving: English Students’ Perspectives on Academic Dishonesty as a Strategy to Coping

Eric Gilbran Aditya (English Language Education, Mulawarman University)
Bibit Suhatmady (English Language Education, Mulawarman University)
Maria Teodora Ping (English Language Education, Mulawarman University)
Effendi Limbong (English Language Education, Mulawarman University)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Academic dishonesty has become a considerable problem within the academy, especially when one considers the emphasis being placed upon ensuring that the student population is able to achieve at a high level. This study is a qualitative case study wherein aim to explore the concept of academic dishonesty from a different point of view, based upon the interviews with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students from Mulawarman University in Indonesia, exploring their views of academic dishonesty regardless of its negative implications, but rather as a coping strategy for stress and a way to meet the demands of their academic obligations. Through my collection of data in the form of a semi-structured interview of four English Education majors, I have learned that EFL undergraduates do not consider cheating as a total denouncement of hard work, but rather a way of coping with the demands of a tight deadline, heavy responsibilities, and the stress of failing a course, particularly when it is a strategic measure in using artificial intelligence to manage their examinations and alleviate further stress or anxiety. They rationalized their behavior as a common problem within the academic environment.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ideas

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

IDEAS Journal is published twice a year in the months of June and December (P-ISSN 2338-4778 and E-ISSN 2548-4192); it presents articles on English language teaching and learning, linguistics, and literature. The contents include analyses, studies and application of theories, research report, ...