QUR’ANIC ETHICS, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND MORAL INTEGRITYAMONG COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDENTS IN KWARA STATE,NIGERIA

Abstract

This research was motivated by the persistent decline in moral standards among studentsdespite the availability of Islamic moral teachings and the limited integration of Qur’anicprinciples into educational and research practices. Thus, this study investigated theinfluence of Qur’anic ethics on students’ moral integrity and engagement in scientificinquiry within Colleges of Education in Kwara State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptivesurvey design, a questionnaire on Qur’anic Ethics, Scientific Inquiry and Moral Integrityamong Colleges of Education Students (QQESIAMIACES)” was used to collect data forthis study. Data were analysed using mean rankings, Chi-square, t-test, and Pearson toexamine the role of Qur’anic ethics in shaping moral integrity, their application inacademic and research activities, and their impact on ethical perception and decision-making in scientific inquiry. Findings indicated that Qur’anic ethics significantly enhancestudents’ moral integrity, with the concepts of Halal and Haram serving as the strongestethical guides. Students demonstrated substantial integration of Qur’anic values intoresearch, particularly in evaluating the moral implications of scientific outcomes.Hypothesis testing revealed significant gender-based differences in approaches to inquiry(χ² = 3.0987, p < 0.05), a notable influence on perceptions of ethical research (t = 2.601,p < 0.05), and a strong positive correlation between Qur’anic-guided inquiry and moralintegrity (r = 0.614, p < 0.05). The study concludes that Qur’anic ethics foster moraldevelopment, ethical awareness, and responsible academic conduct, recommendingdeeper curricular integration, gender-inclusive strategies, and structured platformslinking faith, ethics and science.