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Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students

Received: 26 February 2015     Accepted: 26 February 2015     Published: 9 March 2015
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Abstract

This study evaluated the learning characteristics of university students based on three learning approaches (surface approach, deep approach and achieving approach) and six subscales, namely three learning motives (LM) and three learning strategies (LS). A survey form adapted from Biggs’s study process questionnaire (SPQ) was distributed to a total of 193 students at a private university college in Malaysia. This study employed descriptive correlation research design to address the research questions. Results of the study indicated that students were more prone to apply deep approach. Further analysis revealed a combination of “achieving strategy and deep motive” was the most popular approach among students. The pattern of surface and achieving approaches showed significant differences across subject variable. Proposed teaching methods were introduced to suit the needs of these major learning characteristics among university students.

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 4, Issue 3-1)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of University Students

DOI 10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13
Page(s) 15-20
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Approaches to Learning, Learning Motives, learning Strategies, Disciplines

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Hee Chong Teoh, Teng Teng Yap. (2015). Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(3-1), 15-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13

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    ACS Style

    Hee Chong Teoh; Teng Teng Yap. Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2015, 4(3-1), 15-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13

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    AMA Style

    Hee Chong Teoh, Teng Teng Yap. Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students. Am J Appl Psychol. 2015;4(3-1):15-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13,
      author = {Hee Chong Teoh and Teng Teng Yap},
      title = {Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students},
      journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
      volume = {4},
      number = {3-1},
      pages = {15-20},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.s.2015040301.13},
      abstract = {This study evaluated the learning characteristics of university students based on three learning approaches (surface approach, deep approach and achieving approach) and six subscales, namely three learning motives (LM) and three learning strategies (LS). A survey form adapted from Biggs’s study process questionnaire (SPQ) was distributed to a total of 193 students at a private university college in Malaysia. This study employed descriptive correlation research design to address the research questions. Results of the study indicated that students were more prone to apply deep approach. Further analysis revealed a combination of “achieving strategy and deep motive” was the most popular approach among students. The pattern of surface and achieving approaches showed significant differences across subject variable. Proposed teaching methods were introduced to suit the needs of these major learning characteristics among university students.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Student Approaches to Learning Among University Students
    AU  - Hee Chong Teoh
    AU  - Teng Teng Yap
    Y1  - 2015/03/09
    PY  - 2015
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13
    T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
    JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
    JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5672
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.s.2015040301.13
    AB  - This study evaluated the learning characteristics of university students based on three learning approaches (surface approach, deep approach and achieving approach) and six subscales, namely three learning motives (LM) and three learning strategies (LS). A survey form adapted from Biggs’s study process questionnaire (SPQ) was distributed to a total of 193 students at a private university college in Malaysia. This study employed descriptive correlation research design to address the research questions. Results of the study indicated that students were more prone to apply deep approach. Further analysis revealed a combination of “achieving strategy and deep motive” was the most popular approach among students. The pattern of surface and achieving approaches showed significant differences across subject variable. Proposed teaching methods were introduced to suit the needs of these major learning characteristics among university students.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 3-1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Faculty of Educational Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

  • Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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