A comparative analysis of the factors that affect the academic performance of BQE and BSBS at Makerere University a case study of BQE and BSBS finalists 2019

Abstract

This dissertation presents research done to compare the effect of factors that affect the academic performance of students in BQE and BSBS at Makerere University. The specific objectives of the study were to compare the effect of student’s education social economic characteristics on their academic performance, the relationship between education background, motivation to do their course of study and academic performance. The researcher adopted the sampling method of studying the population because of its advantages of saving time and funds. Data describing student’s social economic characteristics, education background, motivation to do the course and their CGPA was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Data was analysed in Stata software using the method of independent sample t test for BSBS and BQE samples. Data analysis was done at univariate, bi-variate and multivariate stages. The results of Univariate analysis showed same distribution of variables in BQE and BSBS samples. By comparison of the results of bivariate analysis same variables in BQE and BSBS, the effect/relationships were different except for the gender, motivation to do the course and the location of the A’ level school. The results of the study enabled the researcher to reject the null hypotheses and conclude that the effect of a student’s social economic characteristics on their CGPA is different. The relationship between their education background and university academic performance is the same and the relationship between their major motivation for the choice of course is the same for both courses (BQE and BSBS). Based on the findings of the study, the most significant recommendations by the researcher are career guidance for students before doing the course and evaluation of the course unit load for BQE by the administration.