A study of mature students at Memorial University of Newfoundland

Budgell, John W. (1985) A study of mature students at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study was designed to compare the academic performance of students admitted to Memorial University of Newfoundland as mature students with those who were admitted under the normal academic criteria. Mature referred to those students who were 21 years or older, with less than a Junior Matriculation level of education upon admission to university. The sample for this study was comprised of all mature students (208) for the period 1973 - 1978 inclusive, and an equal size control group comprised of regular students, randomly chosen. -- A second section of this research involved a study of motivation as measured by an inventory of self-actualization administered to a random sample of mature and regular students. -- The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics as well as appropriate inferential procedures. -- Analysis revealed that the academic performance of regular students was significantly higher than mature students. The relationship between academic achievement and a number of demographic variables was researched and results showed significant differences between mature and regular students for such characteristics as sex, age, level of education, and marital status. The study demonstrated that mature and regular students did not differ significantly with regard to motivation. -- Major recommendations from this study were as follows: (1) that admission procedures be improved upon. (2) that admissions procedure for mature students include pre-admission seminars and/or induction course. (3) that the Xaniversity establish a minimal education level for acceptance to university. As well, suggestions were made for further research in this area.

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