Influence of study habits and demographic variables on academic performance: the case of bachelor of education (arts) students, university of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of study habits and demographic variables on academic performance in distance learning students taking Bachelor of Education (Arts).The study investigated the influence of time management, learner-to-learner interaction, note-taking skills, reading skills, demographic variables and academic performance of distance learning students. Given the increasing numbers of post-secondary institutions offering degrees by distance learning, it is important to know the influence of study habits and demographic variables on academic performance of distance learning students. A total number of 347 students were selected using stratified random sampling technique from a population of 4,500 students who were registered for the B.Ed. degree in different years of study. A mixed mode method approach was used in data collection. The design used was descriptive survey with cross sectional data collected. The study focused on selected demographic variables which included age and marital status, gender and highest level of education, monthly income of the learners, and occupation of the learners. To capture the variables under investigation a set of questions was developed to assess the opinion of students about each variable of the study and the length of time the students spent on each. An interview guide was also designed for the resident lecturers. The study also used focused group discussions and observation in collecting data. The analysis of the data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Statistical Data Analysis (stata) package. Percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson product moment correlation, Analysis of variance were used for the data analyses. The value of the coefficient of determination (r2) was used to explain the proportion of the dependent variable that is accounted for by the independent variable. The findings indicated a strong positive influence of time management on academic performance (r =0.569), There was a positive influence of notes-taking on academic performance (r=0.635), influence of reading skills on academic performance (r =0.423), and influence of highest academic qualification on their academic performance of adult learners (r=0.237). There was however no significant influence of age, marital status, gender, type of occupation, students’ highest secondary performance on academic performance in the programme. Based on the findings, the study recommended that students should be trained in time management skills and also they should be encouraged to meet regularly for discussions.Learners should also be trained on how to take notes.