Antecedents of Pharmacy Students' Performance in Nigerian Universities: A Cluster Analysis Study
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| Title: | Antecedents of Pharmacy Students' Performance in Nigerian Universities: A Cluster Analysis Study |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Theophilus Ehidiamen Oamen, Ayodapo Oluwadare Jegede |
| Source: | Research in Pedagogy. 2024 14(2):305-317. |
| Availability: | Preschool Teacher Training College "Mihailo Palov" and Serbian Academy of Education in Belgrade. Omladinski Trg 1, Vrsac, 26300 Serbia. Tel: +381-832517; Fax: +381-832517; Web site: http://research.rs |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Pharmaceutical Education, Foreign Countries, Performance, Undergraduate Students, Error Correction, Student Behavior, Group Behavior, Study Habits, Teacher Student Relationship, Difficulty Level, Age Differences, Student Characteristics |
| Geographic Terms: | Nigeria |
| ISSN: | 2217-7337 2406-2006 |
| Abstract: | Most student performance metrics are based on quantitative assessment from traditional test and examination scores. However, there is an apparent scarcity of exploratory qualitative studies to examine the characterization of traits, attitudes, and behaviors that may influence students' performance outcomes. Moreso because such characterization will contribute to informing and supporting appropriate corrective interventional strategies from educators. The study aimed to evaluate the antecedents of the academic performance of undergraduate pharmacy students using a cluster analysis framework. We examined the antecedents of interest as clusters depicting measures of relative strength of study behaviors, group study behavior, perceived lecturer support, perceived program difficulty, and a single demographic variable-age, evaluated in the context of self-reported academic performance. Using a structured questionnaire, cross-sectional survey data was obtained from 352 undergraduate pharmacy students in their third, fourth, and fifth year from three Nigerian pharmacy schools from April to May 2024 and analyzed using Two-step cluster analysis. Four distinct clusters emerged with perceived program difficulty and study behaviors as the highest predictors of cluster membership. Cluster 3 was the most dominant predictor based on the highest performance scores, followed by Cluster 2. Clusters 1 and 4 were identified by characteristically low (below average) study behaviors compared to the dominant clusters. The clustering method characterized the dominant proclivities, attitudes, and behavior of students which can potentially inform targeted interventional strategies from educators. The study findings provide more insight into prioritizing students' characteristics that enhance performance. Students should be encouraged to strive for an optimal mix of appropriate attitudes and behaviors to increase the likelihood of success in their academics. The study advocates periodic evaluation of students' perceptions of key performance antecedents to support adequate and informed remedial interventions. Implications of the study to educators and researchers are discussed. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1464443 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Most student performance metrics are based on quantitative assessment from traditional test and examination scores. However, there is an apparent scarcity of exploratory qualitative studies to examine the characterization of traits, attitudes, and behaviors that may influence students' performance outcomes. Moreso because such characterization will contribute to informing and supporting appropriate corrective interventional strategies from educators. The study aimed to evaluate the antecedents of the academic performance of undergraduate pharmacy students using a cluster analysis framework. We examined the antecedents of interest as clusters depicting measures of relative strength of study behaviors, group study behavior, perceived lecturer support, perceived program difficulty, and a single demographic variable-age, evaluated in the context of self-reported academic performance. Using a structured questionnaire, cross-sectional survey data was obtained from 352 undergraduate pharmacy students in their third, fourth, and fifth year from three Nigerian pharmacy schools from April to May 2024 and analyzed using Two-step cluster analysis. Four distinct clusters emerged with perceived program difficulty and study behaviors as the highest predictors of cluster membership. Cluster 3 was the most dominant predictor based on the highest performance scores, followed by Cluster 2. Clusters 1 and 4 were identified by characteristically low (below average) study behaviors compared to the dominant clusters. The clustering method characterized the dominant proclivities, attitudes, and behavior of students which can potentially inform targeted interventional strategies from educators. The study findings provide more insight into prioritizing students' characteristics that enhance performance. Students should be encouraged to strive for an optimal mix of appropriate attitudes and behaviors to increase the likelihood of success in their academics. The study advocates periodic evaluation of students' perceptions of key performance antecedents to support adequate and informed remedial interventions. Implications of the study to educators and researchers are discussed. |
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| ISSN: | 2217-7337 2406-2006 |
