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Student Performance in a Large First Year Economics Subject: Which Variables are Significant?

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  • Girijasankar Mallik
  • John Lodewijks

Abstract

The first year experience at university and issues relating to retention rates continue to attract the attention of educationalists. This article investigates the relative importance of a wide range of variables that may impact student performance at the first year level. The multiyear data set covers 2187 students who are enrolled in an introductory economics subject at a major multicampus university. The significant variables detected may assist those currently trying to raise retention rates and raise some questions about the capacity of universities to successfully increase their enrolment rates significantly in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Girijasankar Mallik & John Lodewijks, 2010. "Student Performance in a Large First Year Economics Subject: Which Variables are Significant?," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 29(1), pages 80-86, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econpa:v:29:y:2010:i:1:p:80-86
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-3441.2010.00051.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefan Buechele, 2018. "Bridging the Gap - how Effective are Remedial Math Courses in Germany?," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201825, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    2. Melanie A. Fennell & Irene R. Foster, 2021. "Test Format and Calculator Use in the Testing of Basic Math Skills for Principles of Economics: Experimental Evidence," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 66(1), pages 29-45, March.
    3. Büchele, Stefan, 2020. "Should we trust math preparatory courses? An empirical analysis on the impact of students’ participation and attendance on short- and medium-term effects," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 154-167.
    4. Mallik, Girijasankar & Shankar, Sriram, 2016. "Does prior knowledge of economics and higher level mathematics improve student learning in principles of economics?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 66-73.
    5. Tse, Harry & Tam, Kwok Leung, 2017. "Getting the basics right: Factors shaping student performance in intermediate economics," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1-8.
    6. George Orlov & Douglas McKee & Irene R. Foster & Daria Bottan & Stephanie R. Thomas, 2021. "Identifying Students at Risk Using a New Math Skills Assessment," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 111, pages 97-101, May.
    7. Stefan Buechele, 2019. "Should We Trust Math Preparatory Courses? An Empirical Analysis on the Impact of Students' Participation and Attendance on Short- and Medium-Term Effects," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201927, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).

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