Investigation of Factors Affecting the Achievement of University Students with Logistic Regression Analysis: School of Physical Education and Sport Example

Abstract

In this study, the factors affecting the success of university students were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. In the study, success variable was defined according to the survey information applied to 360 university students studying in School of Physical Education and Sport in Çukurova University and Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University in Turkey, in 2017–2018 academic year. The relationship between the answers to the Likert-type scale questions affecting success variables and the course success was estimated by logistic regression analysis. According to the results of the research, because independent variables such as mother’s education status, age, and class were statistically insignificant, they were not included in the multivariate model. According to the findings, variables such as gender, the university they studied, the way they chose their department, and father’s education are seen as important in the growth of students’ academic success. In addition to this, the variables such as counseling about their profession, support of department’s instructors, and communication with instructor have been found to be considerably effective on success. It was observed that the way they chose their department (willingly–compulsorily) was the most effective factor, and father’s education was the second effective factor. As a result, the success levels of the students were found to differ according to the sociodemographic characteristics and their relations with the instructors. On the contrary, as the instructors’ guidance, support, and communication skills are effective contributors on student’s success, it has been concluded that instructors should take these factors into account.