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CORRELATIONAL
STUDY OF PREDICTOR VARIABLES FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION IN THE RESPIRATORY CARE
PROGRAM AT LABETTE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Douglas S. Gardenhire, M.S.,
R.R.T., Labette Community College, Parsons, Kansas
Background: The
purpose of this study was to explore whether correlations exist between multiple
variables and student scores on the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET)
in the Respiratory Care Program.
Methods: The
study performed is an ex post facto study using existing data from student files
of the Respiratory Care Program at Labette Community College. Data was collected
from 42 students that were accepted into the Respiratory Care Program at Labette
Community College between the years of 1994 and 1996. The criteria for individuals
to be included were that they were a high school graduates, they had taken the
HOBET, and they had been accepted into the program. Students successfully completing
the program sit for the national certification test offered by the National
Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). The scores from this test were also used in
the study. All statistical analyses were run using the SPSS statistical software.
Pearson-Product moment and Eta correlation coefficients are described by using
Davis conventions. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable.
Results: A total
of 42 student records were used to determine gender, age, high school grade
point average, program completion, national certification test, HOBET math,
reading, and composite scores. Descriptive data indicated that more than three-fourths
of the students in the study were female. Students in the program had an average
age of 25.36 + 7.37 years, an average high school GPA of 2.92 +
0.58, an average percentage of HOBET math of 64.95 + 7.85, average percentage
of HOBET reading of 54.64 + 2.97, and an average percent of HOBET composite
of 59.26 + 11.99. More than three-fourths of students completed the program.
Those completing the program had an average score of 77.69 + 7.29 on
the national certification test. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients
showed statistical significance between the total high school GPA and all HOBET
percentages (Math r=.40, p<.01, Reading r=.41, p<.01, Composite r=.55,
p<.01). HOBET reading percentage and composite percentage had a correlation
with the national certification test (Reading r=.30, Composite r=.30), although
not significant at the p<.01 level. Eta correlations showed a very strong
association between total high school GPA, HOBET math, and composite percentage
to program completion (GPA r(eta)=.97, Math r(eta)=.86, Composite r(eta)=.83).
A substantial association was found between age and HOBET reading percentage
to program completion (r(eta)=.64).
Conclusion: The
results indicate that the HOBET should be used to assess student?s acceptance
and success in the program. High school GPA is valuable in evaluating student?s
acceptance and success in the program.
OF-01-013
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