First-year students’ participation and performance in a financial accounting support group
Date
2013-04
Authors
De Jager, Eloise
Bitzer, Eli
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Clute Institute
Abstract
The academic performance and retention of first-year students are under scrutiny worldwide. In
view of the emphasis on first-year success, a support group was established in a first-year module
- Financial Accounting 178 - at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The article reports on
students’ perceptions of their participation and their pass rates within the support group. Both
qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from interviews, questionnaires, and an analysis
of support group pass rates. The overall conclusion from this study is that students in financial
accounting perceived their participation as positive and an increase in pass rates, compared to
previous results, was observed. Small-group participation, tutorial classes, and peer student
assistance all appear to contribute positively to improved performance of support groups. A
number of areas for possible future research were identified from the results.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://journals.cluteonline.com/index.php/IBER/index
The original publication is available at http://journals.cluteonline.com/index.php/IBER/index
Keywords
Perceptions of First-Year Students, Accounting -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Self-help groups -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, College freshmen -- South africa -- Stellenbosch, Pass rates -- South africa -- Stellenbosch
Citation
De Jager, E. & Bitzer , E. 2013. First-year students' participation and performance in a financial accounting support group. International Business and Economics Journal, 12(4):399-414.