“What is ethical?” Exploring academic integrity in qualitative research among master's engineering students

Introduction: Academic integrity in engineering education is a multifaceted issue grounded in ethical principles such as honesty, originality, transparency, and responsibility. While students generally recognize its importance, their understanding often varies, shaped by cultural diversity, international experiences, peer dynamics, and time pressures. Integrating generative AI tools like ChatGPT further complicates the landscape, particularly in qualitative research, where ethical considerations are critical.
Goals and Methods: This study explores how master's engineering students perceive and apply academic integrity principles in qualitative research contexts, focusing specifically on their ethical considerations when using AI tools as academic writing aids. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a Likert-scale survey to measure students' familiarity with integrity principles and a thematic analysis of open-ended responses to gain deeper qualitative insights. The sample included 72 master's engineering students from diverse educational backgrounds, examining ethical challenges, decision-making processes, and perceptions of AI's role in academic research.
Results: Preliminary results reveal that, while students recognize the importance of academic integrity, many struggle to apply these principles when engaging with AI tools. Key themes include uncertainty about ethical boundaries in AI use, varying perceptions of AI as a collaborative versus independent tool, and differing levels of ethical awareness influenced by international education experiences. These challenges reveal gaps in understanding that can undermine research validity and erode trust in academic work.
Conclusions: To address these challenges, higher education institutions should integrate comprehensive academic integrity education into their curricula, emphasizing ethical practices in qualitative research and clear guidelines on AI use. Promoting open dialogue, providing practical case studies, and offering institutional support can help students navigate these complexities effectively. These findings highlight the need for ethical education in engineering and beyond, underscoring its critical role in addressing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies.