Exploring Students’ Perceptions of Academic Integrity in the Digital Classroom through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)

Objectives: The research aims to develop a reliable tool for thoroughly understanding the multifaceted concept of academic integrity and establish a foundational model that can serve as a cornerstone for subsequent investigations into academic integrity within digital classrooms. Methods: A cross-sectional survey method was employed, involving 196 students from the College of Education of a state university in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The participants were students across year levels from the following programs: Bachelor of Secondary Education and Bachelor of Elementary Education. The data underwent thematic analysis to identify initial factors, which were then developed into a questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated through face and content validation by a panel of experts. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Findings: The analysis revealed nine factors influencing academic integrity: learning environment, ethical concerns, cheating, academic anxiety, educational impact, mental health, external pressures, technology challenges, and motivation. These factors highlight the multifaceted nature of academic integrity in online learning. This research informs interventions and policies to promote integrity and student success, advocating for continued exploration in this evolving field. Novelty: This study used Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to create a research-based framework of students’ perceptions of academic integrity in the digital classroom. By presenting a framework, future studies can build upon this model to further explore and refine our understanding of academic integrity dynamics in the digital age. Ultimately, the culmination of these efforts aims to foster a culture of honesty, trust, and intellectual integrity within the academic community. Keywords: Academic integrity, Digital classroom, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Students' perception, Cross­sectional survey