The Predictive Validity of a Study Habits Inventory for First Semester Undergraduates

Abstract

In an effort to provide additional information concerning the relationship between study habits and college grade-point average (GPA), the College Adjustment and Study Skills Inventory (CASSI), high school rank (HSR), and the Verbal as well as the Mathematics scores on the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-V and SAT-M) were intercorrelated. Three stepwise multiple regression analyses were computed, with GPA as the criterion measure. One multiple regression equation used as predictors six subscales of the CASSI; another employed HSR, SAT-V and SAT-M; and the third, used a combination of HSR and the Time Distribution scale of the CASSI. Also, differences between means of males and females on all measures were calculated. Results showed that all the academic variables and all but one of the CASSI variables were correlated significantly with GPA; females were significantly higher than males on HSR and GPA; and males were significantly higher than females on SAT-M. The combination of SAT-V, SAT-M, HSR, and Time Distribution yielded a coefficient of multiple determination (R²) that was 16% higher than that obtained from HSR alone.