Exam Proctoring in Online Business Education: Empirical Insights and Strategic Recommendations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v27i1.7498Keywords:
business, economics, business education, online MBA, proctored exams, student performance, remote proctoringAbstract
This study examines the impact of exam proctoring on student performance in online MBA courses. Following the literature, this topic remains relatively understudied in graduate-level online business courses, particularly those focusing on economics. Using data from two sections of an online MBA economics course – one with proctored exams and one without – the study identifies a significant performance gap, with students in the proctored setting achieving lower scores. The findings further suggest that proctoring methods and students' comfort with proctoring technology can influence performance. Based on these results, strategic recommendations for improving exam practices in online MBA programs are provided.
References
Adanir, G.A. (2022). Student acceptance of online proctored exams. In Gómez Ramos, J.L., & Gómez-Barreto, I.M. (Eds.), Design and measurement strategies for meaningful learning, pp. 212–229. IGI Global.
Alessio, H.M., Malay, N., Maurer, K., Bailer, A.J., & Rubin, B. (2017). Examining the effect of proctoring on online test scores. Online Learning, 21(1), 146–161.
Allen, I.E., & Seaman, J. (2006). Growing by degrees: Online education in the United States, 2005. Sloan Consortium (NJ1).
Andrade, M.S., Miller, R.M., Kunz, M.B., & Ratliff, J.M. (2020). Online learning in schools of business: The impact of quality assurance measures. Journal of Education for Business, 95(1), 37–44.
Carstairs, J., & Myors, B. (2009). Internet testing: A natural experiment reveals test score inflation on a high-stakes, unproctored cognitive test. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(3), 738–742.
Cluskey Jr., G.R., Ehlen, C.R., & Raiborn, M.H. (2011). Thwarting online exam cheating without proctor supervision. Journal of Academic and Business Ethics, 4, 1–7.
Daffin, L.W. Jr., & Jones, A.A. (2018). Comparing Student Performance on Proctored and Non-Proctored Exams in Online Psychology Courses. Online Learning, 22(1), 131–145.
Goedl, P.A., & Malla, G.B. (2020). A study of grade equivalency between proctored and unproctored exams in distance education. American Journal of Distance Education, 34(4), 280–289.
Haney, W.M., & Clarke, M.J. (2007). Cheating on tests: Prevalence, detection, and implications for online testing. In E.M. Anderman, & T.B. Murdock (Eds.), Psychology of academic cheating, pp. 255–287. Elsevier Academic Press.
Harmon, O., & Lambrinos, J. (2008). Student performance in traditional vs. online format: Evidence from introductory economics classes. Southern Economic Journal, 3, 1–15.
Hollister, K.K., & Berenson, M.L. (2009). Proctored versus unproctored online exams: Studying the impact of exam environment on student performance. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 7(1), 271–294.
Hylton, K., Levy, Y., & Dringus, L.P. (2016). Utilizing webcam-based proctoring to deter misconduct in online exams. Computers & Education, 92, 53–63.
Karim, M.N., Kaminsky, S.E., & Behrend, T.S. (2014). Cheating, reactions, and performance in remotely proctored testing: An exploratory experimental study. Journal of Business and Psychology, 29, 555–572.
Khalil, M., Prinsloo, P., & Slade, S. (2022). In the nexus of integrity and surveillance: Proctoring (re) considered. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(6), 1589–1602.
Kim, K.J., & Bonk, C.J. (2006). The future of online teaching and learning in higher education. Educause Quarterly, 29(4), 22–30.
Kolski, T., & Weible, J. (2018). Examining the relationship between student test anxiety and webcam based exam proctoring. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 21(3), 1–5.
Lanier, M.M. (2006). Academic integrity and distance learning. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 17(2), 244–261.
Moten, J. Jr., Fitterer, A., Brazier, E., Leonard, J., & Brown, A. (2013). Examining online college cyber cheating methods and prevention measures. Electronic Journal of E-learning, 11(2), 139–146.
Palvia, S., Aeron, P., Gupta, P., Mahapatra, D., Parida, R., Rosner, R., & Sindhi, S. (2018). Online education: Worldwide status, challenges, trends, and implications. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 21(4), 233–241.
Prakasha, G.S., Hemalathaa, K.Y., Tamizh, P., Bhavna, B., & Kenneth, A. (2021). Online test anxiety and exam performance of international baccalaureate diploma programme students under e-proctored exams amid Covid-19. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 79(6), 942–955.
Richardson, R., & North, M. (2013). Strengthening the trust in online courses: A common sense approach. Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 28(5), 266–272.
Rovai, A.P. (2000). Online and traditional assessments: What is the difference? The Internet and Higher Education, 3(3), 141–151.
Rowe, N.C. (2004). Cheating in online student assessment: Beyond plagiarism. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 7(2), 1–10.
Smalley, S. (2021). Half of all college students take online courses. Inside Higher Ed.
Stack, S. (2015). The impact of exam environments on student test scores in online courses. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 26(3), 273–282.
Wachenheim, C.J. (2009). Final exam scores in introductory economics courses: Effect of course delivery method and proctoring. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 31(3), 640–652.
Wellman, G.S., & Marcinkiewicz, H. (2004). Online learning and time-on-task: Impact of proctored vs. un-proctored testing. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8(4), 93–104.
Woldeab, D., & Brothen, T. (2019). 21st century assessment: Online proctoring, test anxiety, and student performance. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education/Revue internationale du e-learning et la formation à distance, 34(1), 1–10.
Woldeab, D., & Brothen, T. (2021). Video surveillance of online exam proctoring: Exam anxiety and student performance. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education/Revue internationale du e-learning et la formation à distance, 36(1), 1–26.
