Analysis of Factors Impacting Students Enrolled in a Course for a Third Time during the September 2017 - March 2018 and April 2018 - August 2018 Academic Periods at the Central University of Ecuador Chemistry Department

Abstract

This study seeks to determine factors that influence students in the Chemistry Department to repeat a course for a third time after having failed the course twice (referred to in Ecuador as a third enrollment). A survey to gather student data was conducted by the Office of the Dean for the Chemistry Department at the Central University of Ecuador; Ex343 students registered for the same course a third time during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2018 academic periods. For this reason, the causes leading to low academic performance was analyzed as well as associated social, personal, institutional and pedagogical factors that could lead to a student´s failing a course a second time and, ultimately, a third enrollment. The study methodology is based on cross-sectional relational research with chi-square statistical analysis. Results reflecting social factors revealed that family issues tend to prevent students from concentrating full-time on their studies, thereby leading to low academic performance. Academic factors such as teaching practices of the lecturer or professor combined with taxing workloads are also obstacles that work against a student´s academic success, and serve as distractors to the full development of their knowledge. Exploratory research was conducted to find the root cause of student third enrollments for these periods. As a result, it was discovered that many of the students are affected by one or more of the aforementioned social and academic factors which hinder their academic achievement causing them to request a third enrollment.