Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

An investigation of undergraduate-level academic performance mediators

Vikash Rowtho (Charles Telfair Institute, Moka, Mauritius) (Open University of Mauritius, Moka, Mauritius)

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education

ISSN: 2050-7003

Publication date: 5 February 2018

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating roles of absenteeism and continuous assessments on the overall academic performance at undergraduate level using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Pragmatic worldview with a mixed-method approach was used in this study. Data were collected using a variety of tools. Subsequent analyses used both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Interviews and documentary analyses were used to identify the dimensions of student disengagement while SEM was used to determine mediation among selected variables.

Findings

The results of this study showed that absence rates mediated the relationship between performance on continuous assessments and grade point average (GPA). Absence rates also mediated the relationship between personal circumstances and GPA and finally, course selection impacted on GPA with performance on continuous assessments as the mediator. H3 were not supported and the implications are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted in a single institution, was cross-sectional in nature and the variables used were contextualised. However, the tools used in this study can be adapted to identify the risk factors leading to poor student performance in other settings and to address them.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the current study can be useful to policymakers and practitioners in in addressing student performance-related issues.

Social implications

On a broader perspective, societal challenges associated with student dropouts resulting from poor academic performance can be minimised.

Originality/value

This study shows academic performance in a different perspective where mediators reveal the complex nature of the determinants of academic performance.

Keywords

  • Academic performance
  • Undergraduate
  • Mediation
  • Absenteeism
  • Student disengagement

Citation

Rowtho, V. (2018), "An investigation of undergraduate-level academic performance mediators", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-04-2017-0025

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us

To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below

You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here