University students’ attributions towards academic success or failure

Abstract

The study explored university students’ perceptions of attributions to success or failure. A random cross-sectional survey design was employed. Seventy-two students (male = 44, female = 28) were randomly selected from the student population of a state university of age ranges 20 to 49 years. The data, collected using a self-administered questionnaire was analysed using the chi-square and frequencies. The study showed that the students consistently attributed success to internal factors and failure to external causes. Gender and age differences in attribution were not statistically significant. The study recommends further research with a larger sample to produce more generalisable results and the need for more interaction between lecturers and learners to reduce unwarranted suspicions by students.