A Chasm of Academic Integrity Perspectives Between Students and Lecturers

Academic integrity is a critical issue in Australian universities and globally, as its absence leads to academic misconduct. This study explores academic integrity and misconduct from both lecturer and student perspectives at a large Australian university. Through 20 semi-structured interviews with business students and lecturers, a qualitative phenomenological analysis identified an “academic chasm” between these groups. Themes emerged around understanding integrity, power dynamics, and national culture. By comparing these perspectives, the research aims to bridge gaps in understanding and practice. Drawing on insights from various fields, this study provides a novel qualitative model to address integrity issues in higher education. The findings offer new directions for fostering mutual understanding and promoting academic integrity among lecturers and students.