Factors Contributing to Students’ Academic Performance: A Case of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study examined the factors affecting academic performance based on a study conducted at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The sample consisted of 200 undergraduate students selected from the 2500 students of the faculty. The 200 respondents were selected using random sampling method from 3 rd year and 4th year students of the faculty. The data were collected through structured questionnaires. As the main technique of data analysis a multiple regression model has been employed to quantify the impact of different factors affecting the academic performance of students measured by their Grade Point Average of semester examinations. The findings of the study showed that mothers’ education levels made a significant contribution to the students’ academic performance. However, English knowledge of the students becomes the second important factor which influences students’ academic performance. Students with higher levels of attendance for lectures have positive effect towards their academic performance. Further, higher socio-economic status exhibits a positive significant impact on students’ performance. Further, the study employed an independent sample T-test and correlation analysis to identify differences among various group of students and the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Fourteen hypotheses were tested by employing an independent sample T- test in the study to explore whether the mean values of GPA among different student groups were equal or not. The null hypothesis is that the mean value of GPA of the two groups is equal. Nine null hypotheses were rejected at 1 % level of significance.