Direct question surveys rely on truthful responses to a sensitive question, while randomized response surveys provide more confidentiality and may encourage more truthful answers. Separate logit models of cheating are estimated using data from both survey types and the results are compared. Statistical results indicate that between 25 and 42 percent of economics undergraduates have cheated on examinations.
Some logit results are robust with respect to survey type.
The most likely cheater is a heavy drinker who is a resident member of a fraternity or sorority. Males are less likely cheaters and students with college educated parents may cheat more. No statistically significant effects are found for grade point average, total study time, or exercise time. One result is fragile with respect to survey type. Randomized data indicates that a student in the early stages of an academic program is more likely to have cheated.