An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry

Successful completion of the introductory course in organic chemistry is a prerequisite for many graduate and professional science programs, yet the failure rate for this course is notoriously high. To date, there have been few studies examining factors contributing to academic success in organic ch...

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Other Authors: Nandagopal, Kiruthiga, 1980- (authoraut)
Format: Others
Language:English
English
Published: Florida State University
Subjects:
Online Access:http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2761
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spelling ndltd-fsu.edu-oai-fsu.digital.flvc.org-fsu_1810142020-06-09T03:10:16Z An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry Nandagopal, Kiruthiga, 1980- (authoraut) Ericsson, K. Anders (professor directing dissertation) Goldsby, Ken (outside committee member) Kelley, Colleen (committee member) Charness, Neil (committee member) Plant, E. Ashby (committee member) Department of Psychology (degree granting department) Florida State University (degree granting institution) Text text Florida State University Florida State University English eng 1 online resource computer application/pdf Successful completion of the introductory course in organic chemistry is a prerequisite for many graduate and professional science programs, yet the failure rate for this course is notoriously high. To date, there have been few studies examining factors contributing to academic success in organic chemistry. This study demonstrates that the online, longitudinal methods used by investigations of expert performance can examine and successfully identify factors contributing to academic success at the college level. Sixty-four students enrolled in introductory organic chemistry during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters completed motivation questionnaires, interviews, diaries, and think-aloud reading and problem-solving tasks at three different points across a semester. Measures of spatial ability, general ability, and background preparation were also collected. Each measure was analyzed to determine significant differences between groups differing in grade-point average (GPA) prior to the start of the course and to identify predictors of organic chemistry grade. Variables measuring background preparation, problem-solving strategies and studying strategies were found to be the best predictors of academic success in organic chemistry. Implications for instruction in organic chemistry and effective studying behaviors are discussed. A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Summer Semester, 2008. July 2, 2008. expert performance, deliberate practice, academic success, self-regulated learning, college student, studying Includes bibliographical references. K. Anders Ericsson, Professor Directing Dissertation; Ken Goldsby, Outside Committee Member; Colleen Kelley, Committee Member; Neil Charness, Committee Member; E. Ashby Plant, Committee Member. Psychology FSU_migr_etd-2761 http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2761 This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A181014/datastream/TN/view/Expert%20Performance%20Approach%20to%20Examining%20Factors%20Contributing%20to%20Academic%20Success%20in%20Organic%20Chemistry.jpg
collection NDLTD
language English
English
format Others
sources NDLTD
topic Psychology
spellingShingle Psychology
An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
description Successful completion of the introductory course in organic chemistry is a prerequisite for many graduate and professional science programs, yet the failure rate for this course is notoriously high. To date, there have been few studies examining factors contributing to academic success in organic chemistry. This study demonstrates that the online, longitudinal methods used by investigations of expert performance can examine and successfully identify factors contributing to academic success at the college level. Sixty-four students enrolled in introductory organic chemistry during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters completed motivation questionnaires, interviews, diaries, and think-aloud reading and problem-solving tasks at three different points across a semester. Measures of spatial ability, general ability, and background preparation were also collected. Each measure was analyzed to determine significant differences between groups differing in grade-point average (GPA) prior to the start of the course and to identify predictors of organic chemistry grade. Variables measuring background preparation, problem-solving strategies and studying strategies were found to be the best predictors of academic success in organic chemistry. Implications for instruction in organic chemistry and effective studying behaviors are discussed. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2008. === July 2, 2008. === expert performance, deliberate practice, academic success, self-regulated learning, college student, studying === Includes bibliographical references. === K. Anders Ericsson, Professor Directing Dissertation; Ken Goldsby, Outside Committee Member; Colleen Kelley, Committee Member; Neil Charness, Committee Member; E. Ashby Plant, Committee Member.
author2 Nandagopal, Kiruthiga, 1980- (authoraut)
author_facet Nandagopal, Kiruthiga, 1980- (authoraut)
title An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
title_short An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
title_full An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
title_fullStr An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
title_full_unstemmed An Expert Performance Approach to Examining Factors Contributing to Academic Success in Organic Chemistry
title_sort expert performance approach to examining factors contributing to academic success in organic chemistry
publisher Florida State University
url http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2761
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