Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Grade Point Average of Level 100 Students: A Case Study of University of Ghana Legon Campus

Abstract

A. IntroductionAssessing academic performance of students as well as factors affecting it, are not new in the world of research. Many research works have been carried out globally pertaining to academic performance of students. Harb & El-Shaarawi (2006), in their study found competence in English, class participation, missing lectures and study hours achieved as factors affecting students' performance. They also reported that hard work, previous schooling, parent's education, family income and self-motivation significantly affects students' performance. Research on the effect of peers on student achievement, see (Boucher, Bramoullé, Djebbari, & Fortin, 2014), sleep habits and academic performance in college students, see (Eliasson & Lettieri, 2010) have all studied factors that affects students' performance. Africa is no exception with regards to research on academic performance. Nasrum & Supratman (2019) recently studied the effect of the use of software in learning on the understanding of statistical material. To achieve that goal the researcher measures the understanding of student material before and after use of the software. Their study shows that use mathematical software has a very significant effect of statistical material understanding. However, very few researches on academic performance have been carried out in Ghana. These researches are mostly carried out in either junior high or senior high schools ( Ghanney & Aniagyei, 2014; Okyerefo, Fiaveh, & Lamptey, 2011).