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Higher Education Students' Beliefs about the Causes of Examination Failure: A Network Approach

Social Psychology of Education volume 6, pages 159–170 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Examination failure is of paramount importance in higher education, affecting educational institutions, teaching staff and students alike. In spite of this, little quantitative research has attempted to examine the perceived causes of exam failure. In the present study, 73 participants completed a questionnaire in which they rated the importance of various predetermined causes of exam failure. These 11 causes were derived from previous research and included lack of studying, little intelligence and biased teaching. Participants were asked to decide how likely it was that each of these causes led to the others. Responses were examined using network analysis. Results indicated several perceived causes that led directly to exam failure. These causes were sickness, lack of intelligence and little studying. Students also linked poor time management and mind wandering in the exam with failure. These findings are discussed in terms of previous research on exam failure, as well as different approaches to network analysis. We argue that network analysis is a valuable tool for the survey of student attitudes towards their education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Section, School of Social Sciences, University of Teesside, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK

    Jonathan Ling

  2. Division of Psychology, University of Northumbria, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK

    Thomas M. Heffernan

  3. Psychology Department, University of Durham, Queens Campus, University Boulevard, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK

    Steven J. Muncer

Authors
  1. Jonathan Ling
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  2. Thomas M. Heffernan
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  3. Steven J. Muncer
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Correspondence to Jonathan Ling.

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Ling, J., Heffernan, T.M. & Muncer, S.J. Higher Education Students' Beliefs about the Causes of Examination Failure: A Network Approach. Social Psychology of Education 6, 159–170 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023289908438

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023289908438

Keywords

  • High Education
  • Social Psychology
  • Network Analysis
  • Social Context
  • Education Research