Some Correlates of Academic Performance among Students of College of Commerce, Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study focused on undergraduate students who joined the
College of Commerce - Addis Ababa University in 2003/04 AY. It mainly tried to
explore if academic achievement motivation, entrance exam, English language
skill and other college-related factors were associated with academic
performance. This was done by collecting data from sample first year students
by means of questionnaire. Another data was collected from 351 randomly
selected students on their three-semester performances and cumulative grade
point average (CGPA). Descriptive statistics tools, Pearson's correlation, chisquare and coefficient of determination were used for analysis. The qualitative
data were thematically analyzed. The study found out that the students'
academic achievement motivation was high though there was statistically not
significant negative relationship between academic achievement motivation and
academic performance observed along first year first semester grade point
average (SGPA). On the other hand, the study revealed a statistically significant
relationship between entrance exam total score and academic performance,
and between English language result and academic performance. Lack of
boarding facility, instructors' approaches and shortage of some facilities like the
library and counseling services were qualitatively identified to have negatively
affected the students' academic performance. In this respect, the female
students in particular were found to be afraid of various forms of harassment as
they were off-campus residents. The study recommended important measures
to be taken like the need to improve the general academic background and the
language skill of future college entrants, provide boarding facility and strengthen
some essential services.