Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire Research Articles

Investigating undergraduate mathematics learners’ cognitive engagement with recorded lecture videos

ABSTRACTThe use of recorded lecture videos (RLVs) in mathematics instruction continues to advance. Prior research at the post-secondary level has indicated a tendency for RLV use in mathematics to be negatively correlated with academic performance, although it is unclear whether this is because regular users are generally weaker mathematics students or because RLV use is somehow depressing student learning. Through the lens of cognitive engagement, a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design study was conducted to investigate the latter possibility.Cognitive engagement was operationalized using the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), which measures learning approaches on two major scales: surface and deep. In two mathematics courses at two universities, in Australia and the UK, participants were administered the questionnaire near the course start and finish. Overall findings were similar in both contexts: a reduction in live lecture attendance coupled with a dependence on RLVs was associated with an increase in surface approaches to learning.This study has important implications for future pedagogical development and adds to the sense of urgency regarding research into best practices using RLVs in mathematics.

Distribution and academic significance of learning approaches among pre-clinical medical students at Trinity School of Medicine, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

PurposeDifferent students may adopt different learning approaches: namely, deep and surface. This study aimed to characterize the learning strategies of medical students at Trinity School of Medicine and to explore potential correlations between deep learning approach and the students’ academic scores.MethodsThe study was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, observational study. A total of 169 medical students in the basic science years of training were included in the study after giving informed consent. The Biggs’s Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire in paper form was distributed to subjects from January to November 2017. For statistical analyses, the Student t-test, 1-way analysis of variance followed by the post-hoc t-test, and the Pearson correlation test were used. The Cronbach alpha was used to test the internal consistency of the questionnaire.ResultsOf the 169 subjects, 132 (response rate, 78.1%) completely filled out the questionnaires. The Cronbach alpha value for the items on the questionnaire was 0.8. The score for the deep learning approach was 29.4± 4.6, whereas the score for the surface approach was 24.3± 4.2, which was a significant difference (P< 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the deep learning approach and students’ academic performance (r= 0.197, P< 0.05, df= 130).ConclusionMedical students in the basic science years at Trinity School of Medicine adopted the deep learning approach more than the surface approach. Likewise, students who were more inclined towards the deep learning approach scored significantly higher on academic tests.

A cross-sectional examination of the relationship between approaches to learning and perceived stress among medical students in Malaysia.

Learning approaches have been proposed to affect the experience of psychological stress among tertiary students in recent years. This relationship becomes important in stressful environments such as medical schools. However, the relationship between stress and learning approaches is not well understood, and often studies done cannot be generalized due to different sociocultural differences. In particular, no study in Malaysia has looked at learning approaches among medical students. To address this gap, we examined the relationship between perceived stress and learning approaches by considering sources of stress. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire, and the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire were answered by the preclinical and final-year students studying MBBS in a Malaysian campus of British University. Deep learning was positively and surface learning negatively associated with perception of coping with stress. In this study, neither approaches were associated with psychological stress as opposed to previous reports. We found surface learners to report higher level of stress associated with social stressors. We found students' self-perception of feeling incompetent and feeling they need to do well to be significant sources of stress. Deep learning promotes psychological resilience. This is of paramount importance in learning environments where stress is highly prevalent such as medical school. Promotion of deep learning among medical students is required at earlier stages as they tend to solidify their approach through their university years and carry that approach beyond school into their workplace.

The effect of language proficiency on approaches to learning and satisfaction of undergraduate accounting students

ABSTRACTEmploying the approaches to learning theoretical framework, this study examines the effects of language proficiency on overall student satisfaction with a unit of study mediated by approaches to learning accounting. Survey data was gathered from undergraduate second year accounting students from an Australian and an Ethiopian universities using the Biggs, Kember, and Leung [(2001). The revised two-factor study process questionnaire: R-SPQ-2F. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 71(1), 133–149] Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire. Language proficiency of the students was measured using English language background as a proxy. The results confirm previous studies that students who have relatively high (low) English language proficiency are likely to adopt a deep (surface) approach to learning compared to their counterparts; and also that high (low) language proficiency is associated with more (less) overall satisfaction with a unit of study. In some cases, a surface approach might be linked to greater student satisfaction when the level of the language proficiency is low although this is not a desirable outcome.

Evaluation of the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) for Student Teacher Approaches to Learning

Abstract A deep approach to learning is essential for student academic achievement and several studies demonstrate a significant association between such an approach to learning and student academic performance. However, findings from some empirical studies in this domain are inconsistent and the main objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of application of the Biggs (2001) Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) for the diagnosis and monitoring of teacherstudent approaches to learning. Also, the aim of this study was to examine the association of the different approaches to learning with student reading habits and literacy skills. The sample included 202 undergraduate teacher education students. The study found that both, male and female students at the year of study have similar deep and surface approaches to learning. This initial evaluation of the R-SPQ-2F indicates that the questionnaire has acceptable internal consistency and is a promising short instrument for the diagnosis of student teachers′ deep and surface approaches to learning. Results are discussed with reference to a procedure that combines qualitative and quantitative data to increase the diagnostic validity of student learning approaches. Based on the findings of this study, it seems that the R-SPQ-2F scale can be used as a reliable instrument that can help educators diagnose and encourage the development of student teacher approaches to learning, that is a significant contributing factor to their academic performance and teaching practice.

Does the Use of Case-based Learning Impact the Retention of Key Concepts in Undergraduate Biochemistry?

Objective: Enhanced knowledge retention and a preference towards a deep learning approach are desirable pedagogical outcomes of case-based learning (CBL). The CBL literature is sparse with respect to these outcomes, and this is especially so in the area of biochemistry. The present study determined the effect of CBL vs. non CBL on knowledge retention in an undergraduate biochemistry course; it also investigated associations of learning approach, age and gender.Methods: We used the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire, a retention test, final exam grades and other demographic information to statistically compare academic outcomes of students subjected to either CBL or non-CBL active learning techniques.Results: We showed that students exposed to CBL in a second year course performed significantly better on a retention test conducted nine months after the final exam, and that there was a positive correlation between a deep learning approach and higher retention scores. We did not find an association between gender and age with the retention of biochemistry concepts.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that use of CBL in undergraduate biochemistry education may confer benefits in terms of retention of knowledge of key concepts.

Investigating the relationship among extracurricular activities, learning approach and academic outcomes: A case study

Learning effectiveness requires an understanding of the relationship among extracurricular activities, learning approach and academic performance and, it is argued, this helps educators develop techniques designed to enrich learning effectiveness. Biggs’ Presage–Process–Product model on student learning has identified the relationship among individual difference, learning approaches and academic achievement in higher education. Studies have typically revealed that the deep approach is positively associated with academic achievement. It is argued that extracurricular activities enhance students’ confidence in their ability which in turn encourages deep learning. Comparatively little is known about such relationship. The main aims of this study are to examine the effect of the learning approach on academic outcomes and the effect of extracurricular activities on the learning approach and academic outcomes. A total of 131 full-time students participated in this research using Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire to examine the fit of the variables to hypothesised model. The results indicate a positive relationship between deep approach and academic outcomes. Students with active involvement in extracurricular activities are more likely to use the deep approach.

Student learning approaches in the UAE: the case for the achieving domain

ABSTRACTThe deep versus surface learning approach dichotomy has dominated recent research in student learning approach dimensions. However, the achievement dimension may differ in importance in non-Western and vocational tertiary settings. The aim was to assess how Emirati tertiary students could be characterized in terms of their learning approaches. The study looked into emergent learning factors that may be important in Emirati students. The students were Emirati men in a first-year English for academic purposes programme at a tertiary college (N = 252). The students completed the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) to determine learning orientation along the deep and surface approach dimensions. A factor analysis was carried out to assess emergent dimensions in the data. The results on the deep and surface dimensions were inconclusive. However, the factor analysis suggested a disposition towards a construct that we characterize as ‘attainment of satisfaction from learning’. In addition, the factor analysis suggested the possibility of the achieving domain emerging as a separate construct from the surface domain in this context, contrasting with previous research employing the R-SPQ-2F. The results suggest that the deep versus surface learning approach model may not sufficiently represent the complexity of student motivations and strategies in the current context. In addition, student affect tied to outcomes is discussed as an important though perhaps overlooked dimension in non-Western contexts. The implications of the results to future research are considered.

Learning approach among health sciences students in a medical college in Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundMany factors shape the quality of learning. The intrinsically motivated students adopt a deep approach to learning, while students who fear failure in assessments adopt a surface approach to learning. In the area of health science education in Nepal, there is still a lack of studies on learning approach that can be used to transform the students to become better learners and improve the effectiveness of teaching. Therefore, we aimed to explore the learning approaches among medical, dental, and nursing students of Chitwan Medical College, Nepal using Biggs’s Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) after testing its reliability.MethodsR-SPQ-2F containing 20 items represented two main scales of learning approaches, deep and surface, with four subscales: deep motive, deep strategy, surface motive, and surface strategy. Each subscale had five items and each item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and analysis of variance. Reliability of the administered questionnaire was checked using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsThe Cronbach’s alpha value (0.6) for 20 items of R-SPQ-2F was found to be acceptable for its use. The participants predominantly had a deep approach to learning regardless of their age and sex (deep: 32.62±6.33 versus surface: 25.14±6.81, P<0.001). The level of deep approach among medical students (33.26±6.40) was significantly higher than among dental (31.71±6.51) and nursing (31.36±4.72) students. In comparison to first-year students, deep approach among second-year medical (34.63±6.51 to 31.73±5.93; P<0.001) and dental (33.47±6.73 to 29.09±5.62; P=0.002) students was found to be significantly decreased. On the other hand, surface approach significantly increased (25.55±8.19 to 29.34±6.25; P=0.023) among second-year dental students compared to first-year dental students.ConclusionMedical students were found to adopt a deeper approach to learning than dental and nursing students. However, irrespective of disciplines and personal characteristics of participants, the primarily deep learning approach was found to be shifting progressively toward a surface approach after completion of an academic year, which should be avoided.

Approaches To Learning And Age In Predicting College Students’ Academic Achievement

The aim of this study is to determine whether the approaches to learning and age are significantly correlated to grade point average (GPA) in early childhood education students. In addition, another purpose of this study is to determine whether approaches to learning and age predicted students’ GPAs in the Early Childhood Education Department. The sampling of the study consists of 166 students in total (158 female and 8 male; 86 junior and 80 senior) who studied at Georgia Southern University in the United States of America College of Education, Teaching and Learning Department’s Early Childhood Education program. The research model is a prediction study. The data in this study was collected using the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) and a personal information form. The findings were as follow: there was a positive relationship between students’ GPAs and the deep approach. There was a negative relationship between GPAs and the surface approach. There was no significant relationship between GPAs and approaches to the total score of learning. While there were no significant relationships between students’ ages and deep motivation and surface motivation strategies, an association was found between age and approaches to total scores of learning total . The approaches to total score of learning were not significant predictors of GPA.

Demographic Factors, Personality, and Ability as Predictors of Learning Approaches

This study investigated the extent to which learning approaches can be accounted for by personal factors (i.e., demographics, ability, and personality). The participants were 443 students in a university in mainland China. The Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3, and the short form of Raven’s Advanced Progress Matrices were respectively applied to test students’ learning approaches, personality, and ability. The results of correlations and structural equation modeling indicated that male students were more likely to be deep learners than female students; relative to Year-one students, Year-three students were more likely to use the surface learning approach and less likely to use the deep learning approach. Openness to experience and conscientiousness had strong positive effects on the deep learning approach. Neuroticism had positive effect, whereas conscientiousness had negative effect on the surface learning approach. Approximately 44 % of the variance in the deep learning approach and approximately 18 % of the variance in the surface learning approach could be explained by the three personal factors. Personality was the strongest predictor of learning approaches, whereas ability was the weakest predictor. The implications of the results were discussed.

Environmental Factors and Students’ Learning Approaches: A Survey on Malaysian Polytechnics Students

Several studies have shown the impact of environmental factors on student learning approaches. Despite the importance of such studies, studies on technical learners are few. Thus, this study aimed to determine the influence of learning environment on Polytechnics students’ learning approaches in Malaysia. Learning environment plays an important role in the cognitive, effective and social domains of students because it could improve students’ learning outcomes. Learning approaches refer to the ways students deal with academic tasks that are related to learning outcomes. This study used Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (RSPQ-2F) to collect the research data. Data were analyzed using AMOS Version 18. Multiple regressions were conducted to predict learning environment factors that influenced the level of students’ learning approaches. The result shows that effective teaching is a major factor that influences students' deep approach followed by the assessment, learning resources and clear objectives.

Modelo explicativo del efecto de los enfoques de aprendizaje sobre el rendimiento y el papel modulador de la dedicación temporal

La investigación previa pone de manifiesto cierta influencia de los enfoques de aprendizaje sobre el rendimiento, asociándose generalmente el enfoque profundo a aprendizajes de mayor calidad y el superficial a menores rendimientos. El objetivo de este estudio es profundizar en los mecanismos que intervienen en esta relación, analizando el papel modulador del tiempo de dedicación. Participan en un diseño de encuesta longitudinal de 15 semanas de duración 187 estudiantes universitarios. Los datos sobre los enfoques se recogen con el R-SPQ-2F en su versión española. Los resultados del análisis path confirman que los enfoques de aprendizaje influyen sobre el rendimiento. El enfoque superficial produce un efecto directo asociado a peores resultados y ambos influyen indirectamente a través de su efecto sobre los tiempos de dedicación. Se discute la importancia de estos resultados y la necesidad de seguir ahondando en las variables que modulan esta relación. Previous research has shown the influence of approaches to learning on performance, with a deep approach generally associated with higher quality learning, and a surface approach with lower levels of performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in this relationship by studying the modulating role of time spent on learning tasks. A longitudinal study with a survey format lasting fifteen weeks was carried out. 187 university students took part in the study. The data on approaches were gathered with the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) in Spanish. The results from path analysis confirmed that approaches to learning do influence performance. A surface approach yields a direct effect that is linked to worse results. This paper discusses the relevance of these results and the need for further research on the variables that may influence this relationship.

Exploring and “reconciling” the factor structure for the Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire

The Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) operationalizes learning approaches such as deep and surface, and further subdivides these into motives and strategies. Many researchers have investigated the dimensionality and factor structure of the R-SPQ-2F, although they have all reached different conclusions. The current study attempts to disentangle these differences, by testing eight models with the intent of removing the effect of the different statistical methodologies used by each study. This study found that a model without items 7 and 8 that operationalizes the R-SPQ-2F as the two factors of surface approach and deep approach may be most appropriate.

Examining the Cross-Cultural Sensitivity of the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) and Validation of a Dutch Version

The Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) is used to examine students’ study approaches in higher education. The questionnaire assumes to measure two factors: a deep and a surface study approach. Analyses into the validity and reliability of the original English R-SPQ-2F yielded positive results. In this study, we examined the degree to which these positive results can also be found for the Dutch version that we developed. By comparing our results with the results of earlier studies in different cultures, we conclude cross-cultural sensitivity is an important point to be borne in mind when using the R-SPQ-2F. Our research supports the validity and reliability of our Dutch version of the R-SPQ-2F.

Approaches toward learning in physiotherapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the approaches toward learning of undergraduate Physiotherapy students in a PBl module to enhance facilitation of learning at the Stellenbosch University, Division of Physiotherapy in South Africa. This quantitative, descriptive study utilized the revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (r-SPQ-2f) to evaluate the study cohorts’ approaches toward learning in the module. results of the data instruments were analysed statistically and discussed in a descriptive manner. There were a statistically significant greater number of students who adopted a deep approach toward learning at the commencement of the academic year. Students showed a trend toward an increase in their intrinsic interest in the learning material as the module progressed. Students in the Applied Physiotherapy module (ATP) started to shift their focus from a surface learning approach to a deep learning approach. further research is needed to determine the long-term changes in approach toward learning and the possible determinants of these changes. This can be done in conjunction with the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms for learning material and earlier preparation of students for the change in the learning environment.

Structural Relationship of Learning Environment, Learning Approaches, and Generic Skills among Engineering Students

This study evaluated structural relationships among learning environment, learning approaches, and generic skills of engineering students. Research instruments used were: (i) an adapted Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), (ii) the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), and (iii) a Generic Skills Instrument. Participants were 527 engineering students in eight Malaysian technical institutions. The structural equation model (SEM) was tested using SPSS 17 and AMOS 18 software. Two learning environment elements namely learning community and assessment were shown to have a direct relationship, and three other elements (clear objective, good teaching and learning resources) were indirectly related to generic skills through learning approach. A model of inter-relationship between generic skills (GS), learning approaches (LA) and learning environment (LE) was proposed.

Reliability and validity of an Arabic version of the revised two-factor study process questionnaire R-SPQ-2F.

Objective:How students accomplish their learning and what they learn is an indicator of the quality of student learning. An insight into the learning approaches of a student could assist educators of the health profession in their planning for the first year of study. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable and valid Arabic version of the revised two-factor study process questionnaire.Materials and Methods:The translation of the revised two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) into Arabic was done by an established forward–backward translation procedure. The Arabic version was then distributed to high school graduates applying for a place in the medical program at King Fahad Medical City. A total of 83 students voluntarily completed the questionnaire. The internal consistency and construct validity of the Arabic version of the R-SPQ-2F were computed.Results:The exploratory factor analysis revealed two components. The two factors were similar to the main scales described in the original English questionnaire. The main scales were the deep and surface approach. The items for the subscales (deep motive, deep strategy and surface motive, surface strategy) had a high internal consistency of more than 0.80.Conclusions:The results of this study should provide a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of the study approaches of Arabic speaking students.

Learning Approaches of Undergraduate Computer Technology Students: Strategies for Improvement

Purpose – In recent times, quality of graduates and their performance has been questioned. Students’ performance is an indicator of the kind of approach (deep or surface) that is taken. This study investigates the kind of undergraduates take in their learning processes. Methodology – This quantitative survey used Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F). Sixty-three students participated in the study. Findings – Results showed no significant difference between the types of approach by gender, nationality, year of study, and major. However, the rank ordering of the mean value indicated that almost all the students who participated in the study did not possess a deep approach to learning. The Pearson’s r analysis revealed a weak negative statistical correlation between the deep and surface approaches to learning and weak positive statistical correlation between surface strategy and deep approach. However, a significant relationship between deep strategy and deep approach (r = .903**, p &lt; .01) was found. Significance – The lack of deep approach to learning among students can be attributed to factors such as the conditions of learning, professional capacity of teachers, and lack of instructional rigor in the program or coursework. It is imperative that emphasis is placed on using deep approaches to learning in the university courses so that deep learning experiences are created for students.

Assessing learning approaches of Chinese local MBA students: An investigation using the Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F)

This study empirically investigated learning approaches of management graduate students in China. The representative sample consisted of 208 MBA students in a professional accreditation business program in careers, namely the part-time MBA program, provided by Zhejiang University (ZJU) during the 2010/2011 academic year. The instrument used to collect the study data was the Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), developed by Biggs et al. (2001). The data was fed into SPSS 16.0 version for analyses using t- test, correlations and ANOVA. There were no significant differences in the scores of the R-SPQ-2F questionnaire between the studied groups (gender and age groups) in the part time MBA program, ZJU. The deep approach to learning was found dominant among the participants regardless their age and gender differences. The results had an outstanding importance, with regard to some earlier studies stereotyping Chinese students as a “rote learners” using knowledge assimilation for the mastery of principles instead of critical analysis. Key words: Chinese local MBA, learning approaches, management graduate students, deep and surface learning approaches.