A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Affecting Academic Achievement of University Students

Authors

  • Aneesa Lecturer of Education, Department of Education, Government Graduate College for Women, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Azra Saeed M.Phil. Scholar, Division of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Shakira Anum M.Phil. Scholar, Division of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Ayesha Tanveer M.Phil. Scholar, Division of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.465270393

Keywords:

Academic Achievement , Factors, University Students , Education, Qualitative research

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the prospected factors affecting undergraduate university students' academic achievement. This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of university students regarding the factors that impact their academic achievement. The study's general population includes all of Punjab's universities and education departments. Purposive sampling was used to select the desired participants for the interview, and 10 participants were chosen. A semi-structured interview was used to gather qualitative data.  Participants' interview responses were transcribed for qualitative data analysis, and thematic analysis was performed. Seven main themes (e.g., family, environment) and all sub-themes were categorized into positive (e.g., Supportive family, self-drive) and negative factors (e.g., Performance anxiety, holistic environment at home). The findings have implications for educators, policymakers, and students. The results may serve as a guide for students and education institutions seeking to raise university students' academic achievement.

Author Biography

  • Aneesa, Lecturer of Education, Department of Education, Government Graduate College for Women, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

References

Abbott, J. (2017). Introduction: Assessing the social and political impact of the internet and new social media in Asia. J. Contemp. Asia, 43, 579–590. https://10.1080/00472336.2013.785698

Abdulghani, H. M., Al-Drees, A. A., Khalil, M. S., Ahmad, F., Ponnamperuma, G. G., & Amin, Z. (2014). What factors determine academic achievement in high-achieving undergraduate medical students? A qualitative study. Medical Teacher, 36(sup1), S43-S48. https://10.3109/0142159X.2014.886 011

Akbari, O., & Sahibzada, J. (2020). Students’ self-confidence and its impacts on their learning process. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 5(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.46281/aijssr.v5i1.462

Al Husaini, Y., & Ahmad Shukor, N. S. (2023). Factors affecting students’ academic performance: A review. 12, 284–294. https://doi.org/10.7176/jep/14-15-04

Al-Yafi, K., El-Masri, M., & Tsai, R. (2018). The effects of using social network sites on academic performance: The case of Qatar. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 31(3), 446-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeim-08-2017-0118

Aslanargun, E., Bozkurt, S. & Sarioglu, S. (2016). The impacts of socio-economic variables on the academic success of the students. Usak University Journal of Social Science, 9(3), 201-234. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/228040

Bailey, T. H., & Phillips, L. J. (2015). The influence of motivation and adaptation on students’ subjective well-being, meaning in life and academic performance. Higher Education Research & Development, 35(2), 201-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2015.1087474

Carter, V., & Good, E. (1973). Dictionary of education. Science Education, 30(2), 108-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.3730300256

Cox, R. H. (1990). Sport psychology. Concepts and applications. New York: McGraw Hill Book Company.

Dadze-Arthur, A., & Raine, J. W. (2016). Experiential learning and teaching at a distance: How distinctive an experience? Critical Perspectives on International Public Sector Management, 141-159. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2045-794420160000005008

Diaz, S. L. (1989). The home environment and Puerto Rican children’s achievement: A researcher’s diary. Association for Education Conference, Hulston, April-May.

Dilekman, M. (2008). Effective teaching for effective education. Ataturk University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 12(2), 213-221.

Dotson, R. (2016). Goal setting to increase student academic performance. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 1(1), 45–46. https://doi.org/10.32674/jsard.v1i1.1908

Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E. & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Gopalan, V., Bakar, J. A., Zulkifli, A. N., Alwi, A., & Mat, R. C. (2017). A review of the motivation theories in learning. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5005376

Hassan, W., & Masood, D. A. (2022). Undergraduate Students’ Perspective on Factors Affecting their Academic Performance: A Qualitative Exploration. Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology, 3(1), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v3i1.87

Islam, A., & Tasnim, S. (2021). An Analysis of factors influencing academic performance of undergraduate students: A case study of Rabindra University, Bangladesh (RUB). Shanlax International Journal of Education, 9(3), 127–135. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9i3.3732

Iwamoto, D., & Chun, H. (2020). The emotional impact of social media in higher education. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(2), 239. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v9n2p239

Matias, A., & Aguilar-González, A. (2017). What do geology and it have in common? The case of an international collaboration through experiential learning. Innovations in Higher EducationTeaching and Learning, 9, 107-127. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2055-364120170000009006

Munoz, M.A. & Portes, P.R. (2001). Predictors of academic achievement: The effects of demographic and psychosocial factors. U. S: Kentucky.

Ozcan, M. (2021). Factors affecting students’ academic achievement according to the teachers’ opinion. Education Reform Journal, 6(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.22596/erj2021.06.01.1.18

Ozer, I., Karpinski, A. C., & Kirschner, P. A. (2014). A cross-cultural qualitative examination of social-networking sites and academic performance. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 112, 873-881. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.12 44

Rasmussen, M. U., & Yıkmış, A. (2020). Investigation the Opionions of mothers of children with special needs about their participation in vocational training and employment. Journal of Qualitative Research in Education, 8(1), 324-345. https://doi.org/10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.8c.1s.14m

Sekar, P., & Mani, S. (2013). Parental encouragement to higher secondary students in Thiruvannamalai District: An empirical analysis. Global Research Analysis, 2(11), 32-33. http://www.worldwidejournals.com

Sharma, M., & Tahira, K. (2011). Family variables as predictors of student’s achievement in science. Journal of Community Guidance & Research, 28(1), 28-36

Singh, M. (2016). Relationship between academic achievement and parental encouragement. International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, 6(4), 3695-3698.

Singh, M., & Devgun, V. (2012). Relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement of higher secondary students. Review of Research, 1(10), 1-4. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED571491.pdf

Sivrikaya, A. H. (2019). The relationship between academic motivation and academic achievement of the students. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 5(2), 309-315. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1216482

Upadhayay, N., & Guragain, S. (2017). Internet use and its addiction level in medical students. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 8, 641-647. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s142199

Yildirim, A., & Simsek, H. (2013). Qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Ankara: Seckin Publication.

Published

2024-06-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Aneesa, Saeed, A., Anum, S., & Tanveer, A. (2024). A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Affecting Academic Achievement of University Students. Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(2), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.465270393

Similar Articles

1-10 of 175

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.