The source is a research paper report entitled “cognitive and personality factors in relation to timely completion of a college degree” by Cathy Hall, Kris Smith and Rosina Chia. The paper shows the study on how different factors affect timely college completion (Hall et al., 1091). The study in this paper specifically evaluates the effect of cognitive and personality factors in connection with college completion period and their cumulative GPA rates.
The method for the study as seen in the article involved the use of 158 freshmen (56 men and 102 women) from the university of South-eastern university chosen for the longitudinal study. The study engaged the use of Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) for locus of control, interpersonal support, action of behaviors , metacognitive skills for entering into linear regression analysis for both years to graduation and cumulative GPA. The study instrument was by the development of executive process questionnaire in assessing metacognitive behaviors of participants. The research procedure involved volunteering participants signing a letter of consent to allow the investigators to access their SAT, GPA, and course grades. Data ended up collected from the participants’ scores for analysis (Hall et al., 1096).
The results of the study using two stepwise regression analysis of cumulative GPA and graduation year showed internal locus of control as a significant factor influencing timely college degree completion. According to Hall et al. (1089), cumulative college GPA ended up influenced by action behaviors, high school GPA, and metacognitive factors as seen from the results of this study. Conclusively, the results from the research support Borkowski’s executive model of two specific dimensions of affective and metacognitive factors affecting the completion of a college degree and cumulative GPA scores.
Works cited
Hall, C., Smith, K., and Chia, R. Cognitive and Personality Factors in Relation to Timely Completion of a College Degree. College Student Journal. 2008, 1087-1098
