NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1004886
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Dec
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1479-7860
EISSN: N/A
Entrance Qualifications Affect the Performance of Nutrition Students at University: A Pilot Study
Owusu-Apenten, Richard; Xu, Wen Li
Bioscience Education, v20 p84-91 Dec 2012
This study assessed the effect of admissions qualifications on the subsequent academic performances of BSc nutrition students at a UK university. Entrance qualifications for three groups (Grp01, Grp02, Grp03) reading for a BSc(Hons) degree in, Dietetics, Food & Nutrition or Human Nutrition (n = 105) were determined from their UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) points. Academic performances were derived from coursework and examinations marks over four years (Year 1 to Year 4) for three nutrition-focussed courses. The results show that the average entrance qualifications for "Dietetics" students (357 plus or minus 72 points) was significantly higher than those for "Food & Nutrition" (252 plus or minus 49 points) and "Human Nutrition" (277 plus or minus 88 points) students. For the cohort as a whole, entrance qualifications were significantly correlated with academic performance in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 4 but not in Year 3 of study with effect sizes of 11.7%, 12.1%, 9.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The final degree mark for all courses differed by approximately 5% with 9.8% of variation in final marks explained by differences in entrance qualifications. It may be concluded that, entrance qualifications affect academic performances of nutrition students at university. However, the evidence suggests that student's academic experiences at university had significant influences on their final degree scores. The findings of this study are discussed in terms of their relevance to teaching practices. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)
Centre for Bioscience, The Higher Education Academy. Room 9.15 Worsley Building, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Tel: +44-113-343-3001; Fax: +44-113-343-5894; e-mail: beej@leeds.ac.uk; Web site: http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A