Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study
Abstract Modafinil is a prescription-only drug in most countries. It is mainly used to treat narcolepsy and sleep disorders, but it is also used, without a prescription, as a cognitive enhancer by ~ 10% of UK University students. Previous research has focused on the prevalence of, and motivations fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Educational Integrity |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40979-024-00174-3 |
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| _version_ | 1841559826070503424 |
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| author | Alexia Kesta Philip M. Newton |
| author_facet | Alexia Kesta Philip M. Newton |
| author_sort | Alexia Kesta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Modafinil is a prescription-only drug in most countries. It is mainly used to treat narcolepsy and sleep disorders, but it is also used, without a prescription, as a cognitive enhancer by ~ 10% of UK University students. Previous research has focused on the prevalence of, and motivations for, these behaviours. Here we focused specifically on determining whether students view this behaviour as cheating. We used a scenario-based approach to quantify, and qualitatively understand, student views on this topic. Most students did not view this behaviour as cheating, in part due to similarities with freely available stimulants such as caffeine, and a view that cognitive enhancement does not confer new knowledge or understanding. Although a minority of students did view it as cheating, they also expressed strong views, based in part on basic questions of fairness and access. Few students did not have a view either way. These views remained largely unchanged even when presented with considerations of other moderators of the ethics of cognitive enhancement with modafinil. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90d14dc5173444249c388708a01d1e7a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1833-2595 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Educational Integrity |
| spelling | doaj-art-90d14dc5173444249c388708a01d1e7a2025-01-05T12:11:08ZengBMCInternational Journal for Educational Integrity1833-25952025-01-0121111510.1007/s40979-024-00174-3Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey studyAlexia Kesta0Philip M. Newton1Swansea University Medical SchoolSwansea University Medical SchoolAbstract Modafinil is a prescription-only drug in most countries. It is mainly used to treat narcolepsy and sleep disorders, but it is also used, without a prescription, as a cognitive enhancer by ~ 10% of UK University students. Previous research has focused on the prevalence of, and motivations for, these behaviours. Here we focused specifically on determining whether students view this behaviour as cheating. We used a scenario-based approach to quantify, and qualitatively understand, student views on this topic. Most students did not view this behaviour as cheating, in part due to similarities with freely available stimulants such as caffeine, and a view that cognitive enhancement does not confer new knowledge or understanding. Although a minority of students did view it as cheating, they also expressed strong views, based in part on basic questions of fairness and access. Few students did not have a view either way. These views remained largely unchanged even when presented with considerations of other moderators of the ethics of cognitive enhancement with modafinil.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40979-024-00174-3ModafinilSmart drugsStudy aidsCheatingCognitive enhancersNeuroenhancment |
| spellingShingle | Alexia Kesta Philip M. Newton Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study International Journal for Educational Integrity Modafinil Smart drugs Study aids Cheating Cognitive enhancers Neuroenhancment |
| title | Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study |
| title_full | Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study |
| title_fullStr | Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study |
| title_short | Student cognitive enhancement with non-prescribed modafinil: is it cheating? A survey study |
| title_sort | student cognitive enhancement with non prescribed modafinil is it cheating a survey study |
| topic | Modafinil Smart drugs Study aids Cheating Cognitive enhancers Neuroenhancment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40979-024-00174-3 |
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