THE RELATIONSHIP OF PRACTICUM TO SUBSEQUENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN A HOSPITALITY CURRICULUM
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the completion of a required work experience (practicum) and subsequent academic performance. All subjects in the sample were graduates of Purdue University's Department of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management (RHI) between the period May 1975 and May 1980 (N = 250). The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling. The academic records of each subject were analyzed to generate data regarding academic performance. Six predictors of grade performance were studied. They were: (1) Age; (2) Sex; (3) Grade Point Index (GPI); (4) Semester Classification (SC); (5) Semester Practicum Completed (SPC); (6) Practicum/No Practicum (P/NP). These predictors were used to analyze grades received in three course types. The results of this study indicated that GPI was the best predictor of grades in all courses. P/NP produced statistically significant relationships (alpha = .05) with three courses. P/NP had extremely limited ability, however, to account for significant amounts of variance. Age was consistently a predictor of grades in varying degrees of strength. Sex showed a correlation with both Experimental courses (females on the whole outperforming males). When analyzed for "best" predictive ability (optimal r), only GPI and Sex accounted for large degrees of variance in the six courses. Course type, defined as General Theory, Applied Theory, and Experiential, did not produce differing results regarding practicum completion and subsequent academic performance. Based on the findings of this study, no consistent relationship exists between completion of a practicum and subsequent academic performance. The data contained herein do not support the notion of a "best" time to place the practicum in a student's plan of study in regard to their subsequent academic performance.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Vocational education
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