Faisal A. Abdelfattah, Omar S. Obeidat, Yousef A. Salahat, Maha B. BinBakr and Adam A. Al Sultan
This study examined predictors of cumulative grade point average (GPA) from entrance scores and successive performance during students' academic work in university engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined predictors of cumulative grade point average (GPA) from entrance scores and successive performance during students' academic work in university engineering programs.
Design/methodology/approach
Scores from high school coursework, the General Ability Test and the Achievement Test were examined to determine if these factors and annual successive GPAs were predictors of long-term GPA. The sample consisted of 2,031 students registered in university engineering programs during the 2013–2019 period.
Findings
Correlations were significant between entrance scores and the preparatory year GPA but not with cumulative GPA. Also, correlations were significant between year-1 GPA to year-3 GPA and the graduation GPA. Adjacent year GPA is the better predictor of later GPA. More importantly, GPA at the time of graduation is well predicted by GPAs throughout years of study within engineering programs after controlling for entrance scores. Girls outperform boys in their entrance scores and GPAs. Hence, girls are likely to obtain higher cumulative GPAs.
Research limitations/implications
The implications of the study findings could help university faculty and administrators to understand the role of current entrance scores in predicting academic achievement of engineering students. In addition, the results could serve as a foundation to review weights of entrance scores for future developments and revisions. The findings of the study are limited to admission data for engineering students during the 2013–2019 period. Other disciplines may show a different pattern of relationships among the studied variables.
Practical implications
The study findings have useful practical implications for admitting and monitoring student progress at engineering education programs. Results may help program curriculum development specialists and committees in designing admission criteria.
Social implications
Administrators and faculty members are advised to consider entrance scores when providing counseling and monitoring throughout students' program-year progress. More attention should be devoted to university performance when interest is focused on later or graduation CGPA, with less emphasis on entrance scores.
Originality/value
The existed previous studies explored factors that influence the student performance in engineering programs. This study documents the role of admission criteria and successive GPAs in predicting the student graduation CGPA in engineering programs. Relationships between factors are crucial for engineering program revisions and policymaking.
Details
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Ahmed Hassan Abdou, Markus Patrick Chan, Shafique Ur Rehman, Azam Ibrahem Ali Albakhit and Muhanna Yousef Almakhayitah
The research investigates the relationship between halal credence, awareness, certification, need for cognition (NC), effort, health consciousness, and satisfaction towards halal…
Abstract
Purpose
The research investigates the relationship between halal credence, awareness, certification, need for cognition (NC), effort, health consciousness, and satisfaction towards halal food (STHF). In addition, observe the influence of STHF on purchase intention explored. Finally, religiosity is examined as a moderator between STHF and halal purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
The data was collected from Muslim participants in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. A total of 476 respondents take part in this research. The data was collected from Muslims who eat food from halal food hotels. A purposive sampling technique is used to collect data from respondents. PLS-SEM is followed to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal that halal credence, awareness, certification, effort, and health consciousness increase STHF. Conversely, NC does not influence STHF. Moreover, STHF significantly determines halal purchase intention. Finally, religiosity strengthens the positive association between STHF and purchase intention.
Practical implications
Food marketers and policy decision-makers can use research findings to enhance halal purchase intention. In China, Muslim customers usually search for halal food by putting in extra effort and seeing halal certification. They trust halal food because religiosity is their priority.
Originality/value
This initial research incorporates halal credence, halal awareness, certification, NC, effort, health consciousness, STHF, and religiosity to examine halal purchase intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).