Understanding the correlation between institutional characteristics and academic performance: a case of undergraduate medical students at University of Zambia

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