An ensemble-based model for prediction of academic performance of students in undergrad professional course

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 769-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preet Kamal ◽  
Sachin Ahuja
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Ensemble Model ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Behavioural Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a prediction model to study the factors affecting the academic performance of students pursuing an undergraduate professional course (BCA). For this purpose, the ensemble model of decision tree, gradient boost algorithm and Naïve Bayes techniques is created to achieve best and accurate results. Monitoring the academic performance of students has emerged as an essential field as it plays a vital role in the accurate development and growth of students’ critical and cognitive thinking. If the academic performance of students during the initial years of the graduation can be predicted, different stakeholders, i.e. government, policymakers, academicians, can be helped to make significant remedial strategies. This comprehensible practice can go a long way in shaping the ideologies of young minds, enhancing pedagogical practices and reframing of curriculum. This study aims to develop positive steps that can be taken to enhance future endeavours in the field of education. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was prepared specifically to find out influential factors affecting the academic performance of the students. Its specific area of investigation was demographic, social, academic and behavioural factors that influence the performance of the students. Then, an ensemble model was built using three techniques based on accuracy rate. A 10-fold cross-validation technique was applied to access the fitness of results obtained from proposed ensemble model. Findings The result obtained from ensemble model provides efficient and accurate prediction of student performance and helps identify the students that are at risk of failing or being a drop-out. The effect of previous semester’s academic performance shows a significant impact on current academic performance along with other factors (such as number of siblings and distance of university from residence). Any major mishap during past one year also affects the academic performance along with habit-based behavioural factors such as consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Research limitations/implications Though the existing model considers aspects related to a student’s family income and academic indicators, it tends to ignore major factors such as influence of peer pressure, self-study habits and time devoted to study after college hours. An attempt is made in this paper to examine the above cited factors in predicting the academic performance of the students. The need of the hour is to develop innovative models to assess and make advancements in the present educational set-up. The ensemble model is best suited to study all factors needed to accomplish a robust and reliable model. Originality\value The present model is developed using classification and regression algorithms. The model is able to achieve 99 per cent accuracy with the existing data set and is able to identify the influential factors affecting the academic performance. As early detection of at-risk students is possible with the proposed model, preventive and corrective measures can be proposed for improving the overall academic performance of the students.

Quality of life in breast cancer sufferers

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 721-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Essmat Shouman ◽  
Nahla Fawzy Abou El Ezz ◽  
Nivine Gado ◽  
Amal Mahmoud Ibrahim Goda
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Functional Domain ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure health-related quality of life (QOL) among patients with early stage cancer breast under curative treatment at department of oncology and nuclear medicine at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Identify factors affecting QOL among these patients. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study measured QOL among early stage female breast cancer (BC) patients and determined the main factors affecting their QOL. Three interviewer administered questionnaires were used. Findings – The physical domain mostly affected in BC patients and the functional domain least. Socio-demographic factors that significantly affected BC patients QOL scores were patient age, education, having children and family income. Specific patient characteristics include caregiver presence – a factor that affected different QOL scores. Age at diagnosis, affection in the side of the predominant hand, post-operative chemotherapy and difficulty in obtaining the medication were the disease-related factors that affected QOL scores. Originality/value – The final model predicting QOL for early stage female BC patients included age, education and difficulty in obtaining the medication as determinants for total QOL score. Carer presence was the specific patient characteristic that affected different QOL scores.

Increasing revenue and attendance in Canadian Baptist churches

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1071-1089
Author(s):  
Alan Chan ◽  
Bruce G. Fawcett ◽  
Shu-Kam Lee
Keyword(s):  
Church Health ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Baptist Churches ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Simulation Exercises

Purpose – Church giving and attendance are two important indicators of church health and performance. In the literature, they are usually understood to be simultaneously determined. The purpose of this paper is to estimate if there a sustainable church congregation size using Wintrobe’s (1998) dictatorship model. The authors want to examine the impact of youth and adult ministry as well. Design/methodology/approach – Using the data collected from among Canadian Baptist churches in Eastern Canada, this study investigates the factors affecting the level of the two indicators by the panel-instrumental variable technique. Applying Wintrobe’s (1998) political economy model on dictatorship, the equilibrium level of worship attendance and giving is predicted. Findings – Through various simulation exercises, the actual church congregation sizes is approximately 50 percent of the predicted value, implying inefficiency and misallocation of church resources. The paper concludes with insights on effective ways church leaders can allocate scarce resources to promote growth within churches. Originality/value – The authors are the only researchers getting the permission from the Atlantic Canada Baptist Convention to use their mega data set on church giving and congregation sizes as per the authors’ knowledge. The authors are also applying a theoretical model on dictatorship to religious/not for profits organizations.

Online information retrieval behaviour and economics of attention

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 779-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Utku Özmen
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
General Information ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Information Providers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse users’ attitudes towards online information retrieval and processing. The aim is to identify the characteristics of information that better capture the attention of the users and to provide evidence for the information retrieval behaviour of the users by studying online photo archives as information units. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses a unique quasi-experimental data of photo archive access counts collected by the author from an online newspaper. In addition to access counts of each photo in 500 randomly chosen photo galleries, characteristics of the photo galleries are also recorded. Survival (duration) analysis is used in order to analyse the factors affecting the share of the photo gallery viewed by a certain proportion of the initial number of viewers. Findings – The results of the survival analysis indicate that users are impatient in case of longer photo galleries; they lose attention faster and stop viewing earlier when gallery length is uncertain; they are attracted by keywords and initial presentation and they give more credit to specific rather than general information categories. Practical implications – Results of the study offer applicable implications for information providers, especially on the online domain. In order to attract more attention, entities can engage in targeted information provision by taking into account people’s attitude towards information retrieval and processing as presented in this paper. Originality/value – This paper uses a unique data set in a quasi-experimental setting in order to identify the characteristics of online information that users are attracted to.

scholarly journals Factors affecting political participation (Jordanian universities students' voting: field study 2017-2018)

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Soud Alelaimat
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Regional Affiliation

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors affecting the political participation of Jordanian university students, especially their voting in national and local elections. The study examines the impact of gender, age, family income and regional affiliation that represent important social and economic factors affecting political participation on the voting of Jordanian university students. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research method was used in this study. The study population contained three Jordanian universities representing the various segments of the Jordanian society: Al-Al Bayt University (Northern Region), Jordanian University (Central Region) and Mu'tah University (Southern Region). The study relied on a purposive sample of 900 students, 300 students per university (150 males and 150 females). The survey was conducted in the academic year 2018-2019. A questionnaire reviewed by two jurors (peer reviewers) was used to collect the data. Findings The study concluded that the gender, age, family income and regional affiliation factors affect the voting of Jordanian university students in national and local elections. The more the gender varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of males students. The more the age varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of older students. The more the family income varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of high-income students. The more the regional affiliation varies, the more the voting shifts in favor of Jordanians students. Originality/value This study is an approach to interpret the factors affecting voting of Jordanian university students, such as gender, age, family income and regional affiliation, which led to different voting in the national and local elections.

Factors affecting the academic performance of real estate students in a specialized Federal University of Technology in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-198
Author(s):  
Ismail Ojetunde ◽  
Abass Iyanda Sule ◽  
Olurotimi Adebowale Kemiki ◽  
Isaac Ayodele Olatunji
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Academic Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
University Of Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the academic outcome of real estate students in a specialized Federal University in Nigeria. Furthermore, this paper investigates the phenomenon of publication bias in the extant literature as such evidence poses severe threats to the validity of empirical findings on factors affecting the degree outcome of undergraduate students. Design/methodology/approach The standard statistical approach adopted was to examine whether the reported coefficient estimates from ten empirical studies (105 observations) are independent of their standard errors by employing both ordinary least squares (OLS) and weighted least squares (WLS). In this paper, this approach enabled evidence of publication bias in the cited literature to be refuted. In addition, data were also collected on the academic measure and demographic information of 449 students who graduated between 2005 and 2011. For the purpose of analysis, the study utilized a stepwise logistic regression technique to examine the factors impacting on the degree outcome of real estate students. Findings The results of the OLS and WLS regression indicate that there is no significant evidence of any empirical effect of publication bias in the extant literature. The results of the logistic regression also revealed that grade point average, gender differences, prior knowledge of real estate discipline and potential difference in year of enrollment impact on students’ academic performance in terms of their ability to graduate at first attempt. In addition, factors such as age, marital status, high school grade and geopolitical/ethnic background of undergraduate real estate students do not influence their opportunities to graduate at first attempt from the university. Research limitations/implications This paper focuses only on one specialized university of technology offering a bachelor’s program in real estate in Nigeria, so as to remove any extraneous factor(s) that could be present in the other institutional settings where students have completed such program. Extending similar study to tertiary institutions in Nigeria that share similar geographical characteristics and institutional settings can produce far-reaching generalization. Originality/value This paper contributes to the scanty literature on factors affecting the academic performance of students in an undergraduate real estate program in Nigeria. A scientific element of novelty in this paper is the evidence of the absence of the underlying effect of publication bias in the extant literature on students’ academic outcome in tertiary institutions. Findings from this study serve as the basis for university officers to monitor significant transitions in real estate students’ academic progress, so as to identify those who are unlikely to graduate at first attempt early at the entrant level. Generally, the outcome of this research could provide faculty and admission officers in tertiary institutions with complementary information in arriving at an informed decision in a non-discriminatory admission process.

Organizational dynamics: exploring the factors affecting knowledge sharing behavior

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nóra Obermayer ◽  
Viktoria Erika Toth
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Organizational Characteristics ◽  
Organizational Dynamics ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the individual and organizational factors that influence knowledge sharing (KS) behavior within Hungarian organizations. Design/methodology/approach The data were obtained from 238 completed questionnaires collected via the LimeSurvey system. The analysis is based on applied quantitative methodology, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The research investigated the relationships between individual and organizational characteristics and the KS behavior at individual and global levels. Findings Among individual factors, significant relationships have been identified regarding the generation and position of individuals, and KS behavior, while gender and education do not seem to play a significant role. With respect to organizational factors, the size of the organization and the tenure of individuals are found to be significant. Research limitations/implications The results of the analysis are limited because the data set was not large enough to investigate inter- and intra-industry variability. Practical implications The outcome of this research can support the design of managerial and organizational processes and incentives that will potentially facilitate KS in a more efficient and effective manner. Such improved KS is likely to improve the overall performance of knowledge-intensive organizations. Originality/value The original value of this research is that individual and organizational characteristics have been identified that influence KS behavior. The study focuses on a single country, Hungary, and provides relevant insight into the organizational dynamics of a specific national context.

Exploring influential factors leading to the poor performance of public construction project in Ethiopia using structural equation modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benti Gadisa ◽  
Hong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Project Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Public Construction

PurposeIt is well recognized that the construction industry is characterised by inefficient and ineffective service delivery due to various causative factors. Thus this study aims to examine the influential factors affecting public construction project performance in Ethiopia to improve the industry's service delivery.Design/methodology/approachFrom the extensive literature reviewed, 58 potential factors affecting construction project performance have been compiled. Based on the evidence accumulated, the conceptual model of this paper has been developed. By using survey questionnaires, valuable data were collected from the construction industry professionals in Ethiopia; analysed and interpreted with the use of both SPSS and AMOS software.FindingsIt is concluded that failure factors related to the “performance” of the contractor, the “capability” of the owner, the “project design-procurement process,” and project contract management can significantly contribute to the poor performance of public construction projects in Ethiopia. Ten key factors include inadequate contractor capacity, weak project site management and supervision, weak project management skills and capabilities of the owner, additional work orders, delayed payment, lack of comprehensive project plans between parties and incomplete project design, rising material prices, ineffective project schedules, and cost management, rising market prices and devaluation of the currency.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study confined to public projects in Ethiopia. It suggests that further research needs to consider public and private construction from a comprehensive perspective in the developing countries.Practical implicationsIt provides practitioners with information and guidance on the factors that affect the performance of construction projects.Originality/valueIt provides inclusive evidence related to many factors that affect the performance of public construction projects.

Funding for start-ups in India: what shakes it?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saibal Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Equity Financing ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Salutary Effect ◽  
Fixed Effects Regression ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose Using a novel monthly data set, this study aims to examine the factors affecting the funding of Indian start-ups. Design/methodology/approach Given the panel structure of the data, the fixed effects regression technique has been used. Findings The findings reveal that years of operation is a key factor. Amongst others, angel investors and equity financing are the key drivers of startup financing. Government policy does not appear to have gained adequate traction, although the improvement in the business reform action by state governments has begun to exert a salutary effect. Practical implications From a policy standpoint, the study provides insights into what policies and practices can be exploited to streamline the funding bottlenecks affecting startups in the Indian context. Originality/value Notwithstanding being a country with a significant presence in the startup space, there are admittedly limited studies, which examine this issue for India. Viewed from this standpoint to the best of the knowledge, the analysis is one of the early studies to shed light on the factors driving the funding of startups in the Indian context.

Racial and low-income quotas in Brazilian universities: impact on academic performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-176
Author(s):  
Claudia Bueno Rocha Vidigal
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate the impact of racial and low-income quotas on academic performance of students from public and private universities in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Using propensity score matching applied to student-level data from the National Examination of Student Performance conducted in 2012; this paper identifies the impact of the quota policy on academic performance considering all Brazilian universities. Findings The results indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in academic performance between students admitted under the racial quota and those who had the regular admission (non-quota students). The impact is positive, however, for students from the North region of Brazil and among those with very low family income, whereas a negative impact is observed for those from the Central-West region. In regard to the low-income quota, quota students perform worse than eligible non-quota students as their scores are, on average, 14 percent lower. Similar findings are observed when different subsamples are considered. Originality/value This paper’s main contribution is to provide a broader and more rigorous empirical approach than that presented by the existing literature in order to evaluate the impact of quota policies on academic achievement. Moreover, this study considers all Brazilian institutions whereas previous studies are limited to only one or a few universities.

scholarly journals Factores personales-institucionales que impactan el rendimiento académico en un posgrado en educación

2018 ◽  
pp. 4-32
Author(s):  
Mario José Martín Pavón ◽  
Dora Esperanza Sevilla Santo ◽  
Cristina Jenaro Río
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
Research Students

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar los factores personales e institucionales que determinan el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de la Maestría en Investigación Educativa, ofertada por la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México. El estudio se desarrolló bajo el paradigma cuantitativo. Los participantes pertenecen a las cohortes 2004-2014, y fueron clasificados en estudiantes de alto o bajo rendimiento. La información se recolectó con un cuestionario estructurado que indagó sobre: conocimientos previos, antecedentes académicos, habilidad para trabajar en equipo, expectativas del programa, motivación, autoestima, bienestar psicológico, procesos académicos-administrativos y desempeño del asesor y tutor. El análisis de la información incluyó procesos comparativos, estudio de relaciones, análisis de regresión y análisis discriminante. El estudio reportó que la experiencia en investigación, los hábitos de estudio y la autoestima son los factores que más influyen en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes del programa.Personal and institutional factors affecting academic performance in a postgraduate program in educationSummaryThe present research aims to identify the personal and institutional factors that determine the academic performance Master in Educational Research students, offered by the Faculty of Education of the Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico. The study was developed under the quantitative paradigm. Participants belong to the 2004-2014 cohorts, and were classified as high or low performing students. The information was collected with a structured questionnaire that inquired about: previous knowledge, academic background, team-work skills, program expectations, motivation, self-esteem, psychological well-being, academic-administrative processes and consultant and tutor performance. The analysis of the information included comparative processes, relationship study, and regression and discriminant analyses. The study reported that research experience, study habits, and self-esteem were the most influential factors in the academic performance of students in the program.Recibido: 19 de junio de 2017Aceptado: 09 enero de 2018

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