Die Bedeutung der Studierfähigkeit für den Studienerfolg im 1. Semester in Physik
The relevance of the study capacity for success in introductory physics courses
Journal article › Research › Peer reviewed
Publication data
| By | Stefan Sorge, Stefan Petersen, Knut Neumann |
| Original language | German |
| Published in | Zeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften, 22(1) |
| Pages | 165-180 |
| Editor (Publisher) | Springer |
| ISSN | 0949-1147, 2197-988X |
| DOI/Link | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40573-016-0048-x , http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs40573-016-0048-x |
| Publication status | Published – 2016 |
Physics courses at German universities show above-average drop-out rates. Yet there is little empirical evidence concerning characteristics, which facilitate academic success. Based on theoretical considerations and empirical findings regarding the influence of cognitive and content-specific characteristics of the study capacity on academic success, this study surveyed N = 158 freshmen at a German University. The influence of the predictors on the probability to succeed in the exam was evaluated using logistic regressions. It was found, that with the final school exam grade and the last physic grade the success of 87 % of the participants could be classified correctly. The prior physics knowledge however didn’t improve this prediction. Looking at the examination grades of the successful participants using multiple linear regressions, the prior physics knowledge was the only significant predictor. So differences in the prior knowledge could be compensated to a certain degree during the first semester. To support all students in an optimal manner the existing supporting arrangements like tutorials or preparatory courses need to be extended beyond discussing only physics content.
