Student Factors Affecting Performance in an MSW Research and Statistics Course

Abstract

A review of the literature indicates that little empirical knowledge exists about what influences learning in master of social work (MSW) research courses. The current study presents data on selected student characteristics and course performance collected from 162 students in several sections of an MSW foundation research course in a single university. The sections had the same curricular content but were taught by four instructors with quite different professional backgrounds and teaching styles. Student performance did not differ across the different instructors. Undergraduate grade point average was positively correlated with performance, and having an undergraduate major in social service was negatively correlated, but other student characteristics were unrelated to performance.