The Academic Ethic and College Grades: Does Hard Work Help Students to "Make the Grade"?

An Investigation of Factors that Influence the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students of Public Universities in Ghana

“…This corroborates previous research findings (Diseth et al, 2010;George et al, 2008;Rau & Durand, 2000). For example, Diseth et al (2010) found a significant positive correlation between effort (hours of study per week) and exam grade.…”

“…There is literature showing a relationship between time spent studying (effort) and academic performance but this is not conclusive (Diseth, Pallessen, Brunborg & Larsen, 2010;Plant, Ericsson, Hill & Asberg, 2005;Rau & Durand, 2000). For example, Diseth et al (2010) found a significant correlation between effort and exam grade (r = .44), suggesting that effort probably influences performance.…”

“…For example, Diseth et al (2010) found a significant correlation between effort and exam grade (r = .44), suggesting that effort probably influences performance. Similarly, Rau and Durand (2000) found a significant relationship between amount of study and performance (r = .23) but noted that the real effect of study time showed only when students had spent over 14 hours a week studying. Plant et al (2005) also reported that amount of study time made a significant contribution to predicting academic performance only in the presence of previous achievement and quality of study.…”

<em>Non-cognitive Ability, College Learning, and Student Retention</em>

“…Using these improved measures, Swinton shows that there is a strong positive correlation between effort and learning. 2 Rau and Durand (2000) and Swinton (2006b) show that effort and learning have a positive relationship.…”

“…Papers such as Schuman et al (1985) and Rau and Durand (2000) that estimate the returns to effort are plagued with problems quantifying the effort a student makes.…”