Learning style preferences of postgraduate students

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to incorporate the Honey and Mumford’s learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) to assess the learning style preferences of postgraduate students at the British University in Dubai (BUiD), as well as investigating whether there are statistically significant differences in such preferences from demographic and academic characteristics perspective. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 200 students (males and females) in various postgraduate programs. Descriptive statistics analysis presented the main characteristics of the respondents and the results of the study. The independent samples t-test and Kurskal–Wallis test determined if there are significant differences in learning style preferences among the postgraduate students because of their demographic and academic characteristics. Findings The results revealed that postgraduate students preferred the theorist (20.36), reflector (20.31), pragmatist (19.00) and activist (18.62) learning styles, while no significant statistical differences were found across the four learning styles from demographic and academic characteristics standpoint. Research/limitations implications On one hand, the present study has several limitations. First, the findings of the study are based on data from only single university. Second, the sample is limited to postgraduate students. Third, the results are based on a self-reported questionnaire, which might affect their reliability. On the other hand, this study has some implications for educators and students. Its results could help educator adopt appropriate teaching styles and strategies that match the preferred learning styles of the majority of their students. Students themselves could also benefit from knowing their own learning style. Originality/value The present study is the first scholarly attempt to explore learning style preferences of postgraduate students in the UAE higher education context.