Do prior studies matter?: Predicting proficiencies required to excel academically in law school at Makerere University, Uganda
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Quality Assurance in Education
Abstract
Introduction of law school admission examinations has increased the debate regarding the
relevance of prior studies for the enrollees in the program. The key issues of contention are whether
prior studies reliably predict academic achievement of enrollees, and demonstrate proficiencies
required for admission in the program. The purpose of this paper is to use administrative records of law
students at Makerere University – over a four-year stipulated period of bachelor’s studies – to
investigate the above-mentioned issues further.
Design/methodology/approach – Panel data of 2,485 records enable us to explore time variant and
invariant factors in the course of bachelor’s candidature.
Findings – About 81 per cent of differentials in academic achievement was found to be due to variation
across students. In addition to confirming prior academic attainment as a contributing factor to
variations in academic achievement, our findings affirm that competence in literature, history and
divinity predicts success on the program.
Research limitations/implications – Competence in these subjects (literature, history and
divinity) certainly demonstrates proficiencies required by a student of law. Thus, admission based on
competence in these subjects provides insights into proficiencies required by enrollees to excel
academically in the program.
Originality/value – Unlike prior studies, this study explores time-variant factors in the course of
bachelor’s candidature, and is based on subjects taken during prior studies (secondary education) rather
than a pooled index or weighted score adopted on admission to the program.
Description
Keywords
Education, Performance, Higher education
Citation
Betty Nalukenge Robert Wamala Bruno Ocaya , (2016),"Do prior studies matter?", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 24 Iss 1 pp. 139 - 154, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/QAE-09-2013-0038