The influence of working memory capacity on academic achievement of final year medical students
- Author:
Sivalingam Nalliah
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Working memory, digit span backward test, academic performance, modified essay question
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2012;6(supp1):S87-S102
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This is a cross sectional study conducted in
July 2010 at the International Medical University,
Seremban, Malaysia. The objective of this study
was to ascertain the relationship between working
memory capacity of final MBBS medical students
using the digit span backward test and their academic
achievement based on the total score at the modified
essay questions (MEQ) which was the principal
component of the theory examination. Seventy
eight final year medical students were recruited,
41 (52.6%) were females and remaining 37 (47.4%)
were males. Working memory capacity was measured
by digit span backward test (DSBT) which ranged from
3 to 8 digits. The mean digit score was 6.6 ± 1.1 falling
under the category of ‘above average’ score. There was
no significant difference between working memory
capacity and gender (p>0.05). There was no significant
difference in the MEQ mean score and the different
categories of working memory capacity (p>0.05).
The DBST shows uniformity in working memory
adequate to pass the modified essay questions. Medical
students appear to use encoding and retrieval process
in problem solving based on functionality and pattern
recognition in tackling the problems in the MEQ.
- Full text:W020150928578918417740.pdf
