Understanding the correlation between institutional characteristics and academic performance: a case of undergraduate medical students at University of Zambia.
Date
2019
Authors
Daka, Harrison
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Lexicography and Terminology
Abstract
This article investigated the institutional characteristics
of the School of Medicine of the University of Zambia
and how the characteristics has contributed to academic
performance. A mixed methods approach involving
qualitative and quantitative methods was employed
to investigate the correlation between institutional
characteristics and academic performance. An explanatory
sequential research design was used. Data were captured
using an evaluation survey instrument, students’ Focus
Group Discussion (FDG) schedule and an in - depth
interview schedule for key informants regarding the
Grade Point Average (GPA) and examination attritions.
Quantitative data was collected first and analysed using
descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data
was collected second and was analysed using themes and a
constant comparative method was used to understand the
correlation. The results reveal that the good governance
and administration of the school with well qualified staff
contributed positively to good academic performance
of the students. However, the results also reveal that the
school should enroll students according to the capacity of
infrastructure and that there was great need of improving
on providing educational resources to students. In view
of this, the study recommends that the school should
from improve on lecture rooms, libraries and access to
internet and use of MOODLE in the provision of online
educational resources.
Key Words: Institutional Characteristics, Academic Performance,
Educational Resources
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Academic Performance. , Educational resources.