FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATES IN UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Abstract

Academic Performance reflects how students manage their studies. It plays a major role in university education. Identification of the reasons for academic success would directly help improve undergraduates’ academic performance. The general objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing the academic performance of undergraduates at the University of Peradeniya. Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used. The sample consisted of 610 final year undergraduates from six faculties viz: Agriculture, Arts, Science, Management, Engineering, and Allied Health Sciences. The study was conducted using a deductive approach and quantitative analysis was employed in a cross-sectional survey. Twenty independent variables were identified after an extensive literature review process. The conceptual framework was developed using empirical findings under four major categories such as socio-demographic factors, psychological factors, educational factors, and lifestyle factors. The dependent variable of the study was academic performance. Primary data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics such as independent sample t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test, Correlations, and Regression tests were conducted. Academic performance had a significant relationship (p<.005) with gender, age, academic stress, academic satisfaction, English language proficiency, father’s educational level, self-study, library usage, involvement in extracurricular activities, and classroom interactions of undergraduates. However, they did not have a substantial impact on academic performance of undergraduates. There were no significant relationships (p>.005) between academic performance with respect to the relationship status, impact of social media, and expenditure on education of undergraduates.