Predicting academic success by group behaviour in PBL

The aim of this study was to explore predictors of medical students' academic success by variables covering group behaviour, individual work and personality measures. The working hypothesis was that peer evaluation of behaviours in group work was of major importance. First-year medical students (n=199) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology were included. All variables were derived by questionnaires and tested in relation to academic success in the written exam at the end of the first year. In multiple regression analyses, the group work behaviour 'improving learning' emerged as a significant predictor together with 'limiting good group process'. In the bivariate analyses, individual work variables such as constructive learning styles were also found to be related to academic success. External 'locus of control' was negatively associated with constructive learning styles and positively with dysfunctional ones.