Perceived Causes of Academic Failure among Undergraduate Female Students in Haramaya University

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating perceived causes of academic failure among undergraduate female students in Haramaya University. Descriptive survey research design was employed through stratified random sampling technique to collect pertinent data from the participants (n = 320) through questionnaire and observation. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected data. Firstly, 17.50% of the participants scored distinction grade point average whereas 82.50% of them scored below distinction grade point average (3.25). Secondly, 95% of the participants strongly agreed upon problems with learning environment with a coefficient of variation (5.19%). Thirdly, there were statistically significant positive relationships among participants’ cumulative grade point average, fathers’ level of education and family size r (318) = .34^**, p < .05, and r(318) = .22^**, p < .05, respectively. Finally, problems with learning environment were contributed 67.90% to the perceived causes of academic failure among undergraduate female students. In sum, problems with learning environment, family monthly income, family size, family levels of education and participants’ commitment to learn were the most perceived causes of academic failure among undergraduate female students. It is, therefore, recommended that effective guidance services and awareness creation on academic failure should be provided to undergraduate female students of the university.