ERIC Number: EJ1120662
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1551-2169
EISSN: N/A
Class Size and Academic Achievement in Introductory Political Science Courses
Towner, Terri L.
Journal of Political Science Education, v12 n4 p420-436 2016
Research on the influence of class size on student academic achievement is important for university instructors, administrators, and students. The article examines the influence of class size--a small section versus a large section--in introductory political science courses on student grades in two comparable semesters. It is expected that students in the small-class section will perform significantly better on exams than students in the large-class section. The empirical analyses demonstrate, however, that class size does not significantly influence grades. Instead, prior political science knowledge, ACT scores, and course attendance significantly and positively influence student exam grades as well as final course grades.
Descriptors: Class Size, Academic Achievement, Political Science, Introductory Courses, Comparative Analysis, Statistical Significance, Prior Learning, Attendance, Quasiexperimental Design, Student Characteristics, Predictor Variables, Correlation, Gender Differences, Grade Point Average, Transfer Students, Majors (Students), College Students, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A