Do learning style preferences influence academic performance among dental students in Isfahan, Iran?

The present study aimed to identify learning preferences among dental students in Isfahan, Iran and to characterize the associations between learning preferences and past academic performance, as represented by students’ grade point average (GPA). This research was performed as a descriptive-cross sectional study from October to November 2016 at the Dental School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The participants consisted of undergraduate dental students, and were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they were in the preclinical course (second-year) or the clinical course (fourth, fifth and sixth year). First-year dental students were not included because they had not yet attained a GPA. Students who chose not to complete the questionnaire were excluded as well.本研究旨在明确伊朗伊斯法罕地区牙科学生的学习偏好，并剖析学习偏好与以平均学分绩点（Grade Point Average，GPA）为表征的既往学业表现之间的关联。本研究于2016年10月至11月期间，在伊朗伊斯法罕医科大学牙科学院以描述性横断面研究的设计开展。研究对象为牙科本科学生，根据其修读课程阶段分为两组：临床前课程组（二年级）与临床课程组（四年级、五年级及六年级）。一年级牙科学生因尚未取得平均学分绩点，未被纳入本研究；未完成调查问卷的学生亦被排除。