Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify non-cognitive and socio-demographic characteristics determining academic success of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective study among 90 recently graduated studen...
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doaj-6e08f9a55f2345488a04de30add8ef1b2020-11-25T03:40:27ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202012-08-011216610.1186/1472-6920-12-66Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri LankaRanasinghe PriyangaEllawela AmayaGunatilake Saman B<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify non-cognitive and socio-demographic characteristics determining academic success of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective study among 90 recently graduated students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Students were stratified into two equal groups; ‘High-achievers’ (honours degree at the final MBBS examination) and ‘Low-achievers’ (repeated one or more subjects at the same examination). A revised version of the Non-cognitive Questionnaire (NQ) with additional socio-demographic data was the study instrument. Academic performance indicator was performance at the final MBBS examinations. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using the dichotomous variable ‘Honours degree at final MBBS’ as the dependant factor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Males were 56.7%. Mean age ± SD was 26.4 ± 0.9 years. ‘High-achievers’ were significantly younger than ‘Low-achievers’. Significant proportion of ‘High-achievers’ were from the Western province and selected to university from Colombo district. A significant majority of ‘High-achievers’ entered medical school from their first attempt at GCE A/L examination and obtained ‘Distinctions’ at the GCE A/L English subject. ‘High-achievers’ demonstrated a significantly higher mean score for the following domains of NQ; Positive self-concept and confidence, realistic self-appraisal, leadership, preference of long range goals and academic familiarity.</p> <p>The binary logistic regression indicates that age, being selected to university from Colombo district, residency in Western province, entering university from GCE A/L first attempt, obtaining a ‘Distinction’ for GCE A/L English subject, higher number of patient-oriented case discussions, positive self-concept and confidence, leadership qualities, preference of long range goals and academic familiarity all significantly increased the odds of obtaining a Honours degree.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A combined system incorporating both past academic performance and non-cognitive characteristics might help improve the selection process and early recognition of strugglers.</p> http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/12/66Academic performancePredictorsNon-cognitive characteristicsMedical studentsSri Lanka |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ranasinghe Priyanga Ellawela Amaya Gunatilake Saman B |
spellingShingle |
Ranasinghe Priyanga Ellawela Amaya Gunatilake Saman B Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka BMC Medical Education Academic performance Predictors Non-cognitive characteristics Medical students Sri Lanka |
author_facet |
Ranasinghe Priyanga Ellawela Amaya Gunatilake Saman B |
author_sort |
Ranasinghe Priyanga |
title |
Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka |
title_short |
Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka |
title_full |
Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka |
title_fullStr |
Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka |
title_full_unstemmed |
Non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in Sri Lanka |
title_sort |
non-cognitive characteristics predicting academic success among medical students in sri lanka |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Medical Education |
issn |
1472-6920 |
publishDate |
2012-08-01 |
description |
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify non-cognitive and socio-demographic characteristics determining academic success of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective study among 90 recently graduated students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Students were stratified into two equal groups; ‘High-achievers’ (honours degree at the final MBBS examination) and ‘Low-achievers’ (repeated one or more subjects at the same examination). A revised version of the Non-cognitive Questionnaire (NQ) with additional socio-demographic data was the study instrument. Academic performance indicator was performance at the final MBBS examinations. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using the dichotomous variable ‘Honours degree at final MBBS’ as the dependant factor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Males were 56.7%. Mean age ± SD was 26.4 ± 0.9 years. ‘High-achievers’ were significantly younger than ‘Low-achievers’. Significant proportion of ‘High-achievers’ were from the Western province and selected to university from Colombo district. A significant majority of ‘High-achievers’ entered medical school from their first attempt at GCE A/L examination and obtained ‘Distinctions’ at the GCE A/L English subject. ‘High-achievers’ demonstrated a significantly higher mean score for the following domains of NQ; Positive self-concept and confidence, realistic self-appraisal, leadership, preference of long range goals and academic familiarity.</p> <p>The binary logistic regression indicates that age, being selected to university from Colombo district, residency in Western province, entering university from GCE A/L first attempt, obtaining a ‘Distinction’ for GCE A/L English subject, higher number of patient-oriented case discussions, positive self-concept and confidence, leadership qualities, preference of long range goals and academic familiarity all significantly increased the odds of obtaining a Honours degree.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A combined system incorporating both past academic performance and non-cognitive characteristics might help improve the selection process and early recognition of strugglers.</p> |
topic |
Academic performance Predictors Non-cognitive characteristics Medical students Sri Lanka |
url |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/12/66 |
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