NATURE AND DETERMINANTS OF STUDY HABITS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Joseph Bentil, Alfred Kuranchie, Hagar Ayisi-Boateng

Abstract


This investigated the nature of study habits and how the demographic variables (sex, age, level and residential status) determine the study habits among full-time regular undergraduate students. Using the cross-sectional survey design, 621 full-time undergraduate students were sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaire which had a reliability co-efficient of 0.91 determined through Cronbach alpha was the main instrument used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as independent samples t-test and One way between groups ANOVA. The study revealed that the undergraduate students practised homework and assignment most, followed by concentration related study habits, reading and note-taking, examination related study habits while time management related study habits was the least study habits practiced among the students. It was also discovered that students’ demographic variables like sex and level were statistically significant with their study habits. This was seen as male students had better study habits than the females while level 100 full-time undergraduate students had better study habits than their counterparts in level 200, level 300 and level 400 respectively. Besides, it was disclosed that though not statistically significant, students who were resident on-campus had better study habits than their counterparts living outside campus. Furthermore, it was revealed that there is a general disinterest in the practice of study habits as students advanced in age. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the University Management and Academic Board through various departments should introduce study skill courses to assist students in the development of effective study habits. In so doing, these demographic variables should be factored in rolling out interventions for improved academic performance.

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study habits, sex, age, level of study, residential status

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v6i5.1110

Copyright (c) 2021 Joseph Bentil, Alfred Kuranchie, Hagar Ayisi-Boateng

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