Punctuality, Goals Set, and Causal Factors Influencing Differences Among College Students' Academic Performance

Abstract

The study employed a causal comparative with qualitative research design to determine the difference between the academic performance and goals set of punctual and not punctual college students as well as the causes of their differences in punctuality, goals set, and academic performance. Forty-two students (21 punctual and 21 not punctual) and two professors were the participants of the study. Data field was used to collect the socio-demographics of the student participants which include age, sex, socioeconomic status, and proximity of residence to school. Interviews were also conducted to explore the causes of the differences in punctuality, goals set, and academic performance. Frequency and percentage, t test for independent samples, and Pearson r were used to analyze the socio-demographics as well as the academic performance of the student participants. Constant comparative method was used for the interview responses. Results showed that punctual students’ age and academic performance had low positive correlation; punctual female students perform better than not punctual male students; socioeconomic status of punctual students was negatively correlated to academic performance; and no significant differences were found between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and their academic performance. Previous studies were supported because it was found out that punctual students perform better academically than not punctual students. Furthermore, punctual and not punctual students had both set difficult goals and punctual students had both personal and familial goals, while not punctual students only had personal goals. Causes of differences in punctuality, goals set, and academic achievement were also explored. Emphasizing the importance of punctuality to students, consulting experts in categorizing the goals set, and increasing the number of participants were among the recommendations of the study. Keywords: Student punctuality, academic performance, goal-setting, causal-comparative design, higher education, college students, time management