The Relationship between Learning Characteristics and Academic Achievement in Nursing and Midwifery Students

Introduction: One of the reasons causing academic failure among students is disregarding factors affecting learning. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between academic achievement of nursing and midwifery students and their learning characteristics including study style, control locus, and self-organized learning factors which are modifiable issues in learning. Methods: In this correlational study, all nursing and midwifery students with average grade of 17 and above (high academic achievement) or average grade of 14 and lower (low academic achievement) in Tabriz School of Nursing and Midwifery were investigated through census sampling method in the year 2005-2006. Data was gathered using questionnaires of "Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory," "Karami Study Methods," "Julian Rotter Locus of Control," and "Motivational Strategies for Learning" and then, was analyzed through descriptive statistics and logistic regression test by SPSS software. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that control locus (P=0.008) and motivational strategies for learning (P= 0.032) had a significant relationship with academic achievement of students. Conclusion: Control locus and motivational strategies for learning, were recognized as determining factors in academic achievement. Taking the results of this study into consideration, running workshops or seminars on the issue of "Locus of control related to learning" and "motivational strategies for learning" are recommended for learning improvement in first year students.