The causes of differentiation as departments in academic achievements of health school students in public health course

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the differences in academic achievements of students in Public Health course and potential factors believed to be playing a role on such differentiation. The research was conducted with 135 students at Istanbul Bilim University School of Health. Academic achievement of students in the Public Health course was compared in variables of gender, department, the transition to higher education exam scores. ANOVA, t test, correlation analysis were employed. No significant differentiation in the academic success of students was determined by gender (p>0.05). Midterm grades of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students were found to be significantly higher than that of the students at the Nutrition and Dietetics and Health Institutions Management Departments (p<0.05). Final and semester grades of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students were found to be significantly higher than that of the students at the Nutrition and Dietetics and Midwifery departments (p<0.05). A positive significant relationship between scores of students in the transition to higher education exam and their academic achievement was identified (p<0.01). The results of the research indicate the differentiation of academic achievement of the students by departments. High academic achievement of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students is thought to be attributable to their scores in the transition to higher education exam. Further research is planned in order to identify other factors potentially associated with the academic achievement. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.