math investigation

FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE
FIRST ACCOUNTING COURSE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN PUERTO RICO

A Dissertation

Presented to the
Faculty of Argosy University/Sarasota
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of

Doctor in Business Administration

by

Herminio Rodríguez Príncipe
November, 2005

FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE
FIRST ACCOUNTING COURSE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN PUERTO RICO

A Dissertation

Submitted to the
Faculty of Argosy University/Sarasota in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of
Doctor in Business Administration

by

Herminio Rodríguez Príncipe

Argosy University
Sarasota, Florida
November, 2005

Dissertation Committee Approval

____________________________________
Dr. Russell Yerkes, Chair date ____________________________________
Dr. Cal Berkey, Member date ____________________________________
Dr. Kathleen Cornett, Reader date Abstract
Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the
Graduate School of Argosy University/Sarasota in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the
Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE
FIRST ACCOUNTING COURSE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN PUERTO RICO by Herminio Rodríguez Príncipe
November, 2005

Chair:
Dr. Russell Yerkes
Member: Dr. Cal Berkey
Reader: Dr. Kathleen Cornett

Department:

School of Business and Information Technology

The first comprehensive comparative study conducted in public and private universities in Puerto Rico investigated if there were many failures in the first accounting course. It also analyzed students’ perceptions on internal and external classroom factors that might influence their academic performance in their first accounting course. A
descriptive

References: Albrecht, W. S., & Stack, R. J. (1999). Accounting education: Charting the course through a perilous future Albrecht, W. S., & Sack, R. J. (2001). The perilous future of accounting education. The CPA Journal; New York, 71(3), 16-23. Almer, E. D., Jones, K., & Moeckel, C. L. (1998). The impact of one-minute papers on learning in an introductory accounting course Association Committee on the Future Structure, Content, and Scope of Accounting Education, 1986. Basile, A., & D 'Aquila, J. M. (2002). An experimental analysis of computer-mediated instruction and student attitudes in principles of financial accounting Beets, S. D., & Lobingier, P. G. (2001). Pedagogical techniques: Student performance and preferences Big Eight (now Six) Accounting Firms (1989). Perspectives on Education: Capabilities for Success in the Accounting Profession Booker, Q. (1991). A case study of the relationship between undergraduate black accounting majors ' ACT scores and.. Cohen, J., & Hanno, D. M. (1993). An analysis of underlying constructs affecting the choice of accounting as a major Elliott, R. K. (1991). Accounting Education and Research at the Crossroad. Issues in Accounting Education, 6(1), pp Ettredge, M. L., & Nunamaker, T. R. (1993). Starting salaries of four-year accounting graduates Garner, R. M., & Dombrowski, R. F. (1993). Recruiting future CPAs: Is enough being done? Journal of Accountancy, 176(6), 16-19. Geiger, M. A., Cooper, E. A., Hussain, I., O 'Connell, B. T., et al. (1998). Cross-cultural comparisons: Using expectancy theory to assess student motivation: An Gist, W. E., Goedde, H., & Ward, B. H., (1996). The influence of mathematical skills and other factors on minority student performance in principles of accounting, Issues Gottell, P. G., & Harwood, E. M. (1998). Using classroom assessment techniques to improve student learning in accounting classes Hermanson, D. R., Hermanson, R. H., & Ivancevich, S. H. (1995). Are America 's top business students steering clear of accounting? (Includes related article) Hill, M. C. (1998). Class size and student performance in introductory accounting courses: Further evidence Ingram, R. W. (1998). A note on teaching debits and credits in elementary accounting. Inman, B. C., Wenzler, A., & Wickert, P. D. (1989). Square Pegs in Round Holes: Are Accounting Students Well-suited to Today 's Accounting Profession Jefferson P. J., & Kent T. F. (2001). The role of supplemental instruction in the first accounting course Marcheggiani, J., Davis, K. A., & Sander, J. F. (1999). The effect of teaching methods on examination performance and attitudes in an introductory financial accounting Mintz, S. M., & Cherry, A. A. (1993). The introductory accounting course: Educating majors and nonmajors Paolillo, J.G. P., & Estes, R. W. (1982). An Empirical Analysis of Career Choice Factors Among Accountants, Attorneys, Engineers, and Physicians Person, S. (2002). Accounting Education: Charting the Course through a Perilous Future. Previts, G.J., & Merino, B.D. (1998). A history of accountancy in the United States: The cultural significance of accounting (First ed.) Puerto Rico History. Retrieved December 9, 2002, from http://encarta.msn.com, 19932003 Microsoft Corporation. Rankine, G., & Stice, E. K. (1994). Using articles from the popular press in the introductory accounting course Rosacker, R. E., & Rosacker, K. M. (1995). Achievement in business core courses: The academic..