Factors associated with the academic performance of the Civil Engineering Department, at Universidad Católica "San Pablo", Tarija Campus

Abstract

The present investigation, part of the need to identify factors that intervene in the low academic performance in the first years of the Civil Engineering career of the U.C.B. “San Pablo” Tarija Headquarters. The relationship between the different indicators of academic performance and a set of factors was studied, in order to contribute to the acquisition and deepening of knowledge, in terms of academic quality. For the sample of students, those enrolled by semester were analyzed. Regarding the teachers, those in charge of the subjects were studied in each semester, all the administrative staff were also analyzed.

It is a quantitative correlational study; A non-parametric statistical analysis of the information was made. The instruments that were used were questionnaires, the four dimensions of interest were measured: institutional, pedagogical, psychosocial and sociodemographic factors based on the average grade of the students.

In the study it was found that the factors that influence the academic performance of students from the first to the fourth semester are: the pedagogical, sociodemographic factor and a relationship of the psychosocial factor. It is recommended that the higher education institution expand the research based on the results obtained, in order to establish clear policies that help improve the academic performance of students.