Lead author of the study and professor of educational psychology at Ohio State University, Eric Anderman, said researchers looked at levels of inattention and levels of hyperactivity, along with other variables. Research samples included between 800-900 adolescents.  Anderman said they collected data at two time points and found that inattention predicted the likelihood of cheating.

“We didn't specifically look at students with ADHD. We looked at students who both have serious problems with an attention and hyperactivity, but wouldn't necessarily meet the clinical definitions of ADHD," Anderman said. 

It's important to note that the study wasn't all about hyperactivity itself, but about the inability to pay attention. 

“One of the things we found was that it seems to be that the mechanism is that the inattention is what is sort of the start, the catalyst," Anderman said.

“Students not paying attention because of executive function problems that they're dealing with.. .it's not their own fault necessarily," Anderman added. "They're not able to pay attention. Therefore, they misbehave more in class, are more hyperactive and that usually manifests in terms of this behavior. And it's that type of activity that ultimately leads to cheating, but it's driven by the end intention.”

Anderman believes there needs to be more research on intention since it's what kicks off the problems.

His advice to parents and others is to remember that there are many reasons kids don’t pay attention. Instead, Anderman said people should consider first whether students need some kind of support.

"There are as many as two to three times the number of students who actually are clinically diagnosed with ADHD who have serious attention or hyperactivity problems, that don't meet the clinical threshold and therefore don't get any support," Anderman said.