A path analysis of five-factor personality traits, self-efficacy, academic locus of control and academic achievement among online students

BAHÇEKAPILI E., KARAMAN S.

Knowledge Management E-Learning: An International Journal, vol.12, no.2, pp.191-208, 2020 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.34105/j.kmel.2020.12.010
  • Journal Name: Knowledge Management E-Learning: An International Journal
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.191-208
  • Keywords: Online learning, Personality traits, Self-Efficacy, Locus of control, Grade point average, LEARNING-SYSTEMS SUCCESS, BIG 5, DISTANCE-EDUCATION, TASK VALUE, MODEL, PERFORMANCE, WEB, METAANALYSIS, PREDICTORS, DIMENSIONS
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study tests the direct and indirect effects of online learners' personality traits, self-efficacy, and academic locus of control variables on grade point average (GPA) via path analysis. The participants of the study are 525 online learners from two different universities in Turkey. The results of the study reveal a good fit of the proposed model. Relationships in the research model show that self-efficacy has a positive direct effect and external academic locus of control has a negative direct effect on academic achievement. Conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism have an indirect effect on the GPA, mediated by self-efficacy and external academic locus of control. Results are interpreted with the intent of providing an enhanced understanding of the importance of personality in students' success at online learning experience.