Article

Defining and Measuring Academic Success

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Abstract

Despite, and perhaps because of its amorphous nature, the term ‘academic success’ is one of the most widely used constructs in educational research and assessment within higher education. This paper conducts an analytic literature review to examine the use and operationalization of the term in multiple academic fields. Dominant definitions of the term are conceptually evaluated using Astin’s I-E-O model resulting in the proposition of a revised definition and new conceptual model of academic success. Measurements of academic success found throughout the literature are presented in accordance with the presented model of academic success. These measurements are provided with details in a user-friendly table (Appendix B). Results also indicate that grades and GPA are the most commonly used measure of academic success. Finally, recommendations are given for future research and practice to increase effective assessment of academic success. Accessed 112,251 times on https://pareonline.net from March 15, 2015 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right.

Keywords: Student Evaluation, Standardized Tests, Academic Achievement

How to Cite:

York, T. T., Gibson, C. & Rankin, S., (2015) “Defining and Measuring Academic Success”, Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation 20(1): 5. doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/hz5x-tx03