A Correlational Study of Candidates' Practical and Theory Examination Scores in Information Technology

Abstract

Information Technology is a compulsory course unit offered by all candidates to attain National Diploma in Accountancy and Business Management programmes. The examination consists of practical and theory aspects. These two aspects are vital and expected to complement each other. For a candidate to do well in any of the courses, he/she must perform well in both the practical and theory examination. This paper investigated the correlation between candidates’ theory and practical Examination scores in the two courses. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient; the results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the candidates’ theory and practical examination scores. Correlation was measured between the theory and practical scores for Information Technology for NDA candidates, r = 0.478 and r = 0.758 at P_value .01 was obtained in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The correlation between theory and practical scores in Information Technology for NDBM candidates, r = 0.267 and r = 0.634 at P_value .01 was obtained in 2016 and 2017 respectively, as a result of which the null hypotheses were rejected. The results showed a very weak negative correlation, r = -0.04 at P_value .01 between the practical scores for NDA candidates while a weak positive correlation, r = 0.11 was obtained for the NDBM candidates in 2016 and 2017. The study further established a very weak negative correlation, r = -0.06 at P_value .01 between theory papers in Information Technology for NDBM candidates while a very weak positive correlation, r = 0.02 at P_value .01 was established between theory papers for NDA candidates. The results of the study indicated a very strong positive correlation, r = 0.896 for the overall performance of candidates in Information Technology in 2016 and 2017 as a result of which the null hypotheses were rejected. Keywords: Examination scores, practical paper, Information Technology. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-13-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2023