Impact of Working Memory on Academic Achievement of University Science Students in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Work­ing mem­ory is the abil­ity to keep infor­ma­tion cur­rent in mind for a short period, while using this infor­ma­tion for the task at hand. It is the ‘workbench’ the ‘screen’ of computer where current thinking takes place. Students with working memory difficulties take a much longer time to process information. They are unable to cope with timed activities and fast presentation of information. As a result, they often end up abandoning the activities all together out of frustration. Research studies conducted previously point to that in general working memory was linked with academic achievement. In Pakistan, perhaps little research has yet been done in this field. The study was therefore; designed as working memory and academic achievement of science university students. The main objectives of the study were, to find out difference in working memory of male and female university science students and difference among working memory and academic achievement. The population of the study comprised of 300 male and female students studying in universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 150 male and 150 female students of universities selected through multistage sampling procedure. In order to measure working memory of students, questionnaire was used. Academic achievement of students was measured through their university results. The results of the study revealed no gender difference. Both male and female were found to be equal in working memory and academic achievement.

Key words: working memory, academic achievement, science