Determinants of poor academic performance among undergraduate students-A systematic literature review

There are several reasons for student academic underperformance, such as academic, personal, and social factors students face when transitioning from high school to higher educational institutions. In this review paper, a systematic literature review is conducted based on the PRISMA strategy; the aim is to analyze the factors that lead to academic underperformance in students. Research from the past three decades, i.e., from 1990 to 2020, is analyzed. Data has been collected by searching two electronic databases, i.e., EBSCO and ScienceDirect. A total of 50 studies were identified after a careful filtration process for this review. The study reviews qualitative and quantitative papers conducted on different institutions, i.e., universities, colleges, and technical institutions. These studies revealed that many factors could impact students' performance; however, four main thematic categories were identified: academic, personal, social, and demographic. The findings of this study will facilitate the use of social strategies and management techniques for students to improve their academic performance and lead to better academic outcomes. The researchers discussed the findings and identified some highlighted management techniques in the reviewed literature. The implications and limitations are also discussed.Scopu

Causes of Undergraduate Students' Underachievement in a Gulf Cooperation Council Country (GCC) University

UNESCO reports enrollment in higher education in the Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council region doubled from 5.1 million in 2000 to 10.7 million in 2015. Despite significant budgets and the world's lowest teacher-to-student ratio, higher education in this region is plagued by student underachievement. This study identifies academic underachievement factors among undergraduate students at risk at a national university in the GCC. As part of the Intrusive Intervention Program, students were required to complete an Academic Success Plan that delineated academic, personal, social, career, and other academic underachievement reasons. Based on 5,040 students' responses that indicated their academic underachievement causes, findings reported that students perceived academic factors as the most recurrent reason for academic underachievement. In contrast, social adjustment causes were found to be the least recurrent. Specific causes are reported under each category and discussion is provided against gender, nationality, major, and classification.The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

The effects of attendance and high school GPA on student performance in first-year undergraduate courses

Research has established that class attendance and High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) play a significant role in student academic success in higher education. The study uses census data and records of 969 undergraduate students at Qatar University to investigate the impact of HSGPA, attendance, and socio-demographic factors on academic performance in higher education in DFW courses (grades D, F, or withdrawal). Findings indicate that increased attendance decreases the likelihood of getting DFW, and there was a strong negative relationship between high-school performance and the probability of getting DFW. This study highlights the importance of class attendance in a four-year institution and that high school academic performance acts as a foundation for their performance in a higher educational institute. These findings open pathways for modifications of institutional policies governing institutional academic decisions.The authors received no direct funding for this research.Scopu

Factors affecting university image among undergraduate students: the case study of qatar university

Worldwide there is an increase in competition between higher education institutions seeking to ascertain their position in the world ranking, resulting in universities introspectively reflecting on their image and student satisfaction. This is especially the case in the Gulf Cooperation Countries, where there has been significant growth in higher education institutions. This study examines the factors that influence Qatar University's image among undergraduate students and predicts factors impacting students' satisfaction, influencing the university's image. Results from 2,618 students' responses to a 57-item student satisfaction questionnaire indicate that the university's services are factors that influence students' view of QU, and the students' satisfaction directly contributes to a positive perception of Qatar University. The impact of university services on students' perception of QU is further discussed based on gender, nationality, student classification, and major.The authors received no direct funding for this research.Scopu