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Does Multitasking Affect Students' Academic Performance? Evidence from a Longitudinal Study

Author

Listed:
  • Amez, Simon

    (Ghent University)

  • Baert, Stijn

    (Ghent University)

  • Heydencamp, Emily

    (Ghent University)

  • Wuyts, Joey

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

Multitasking – alternating between two different tasks at the same time – has become a daily habit for many university students. However, this may come at a cost since the existing literature emphasises the negative association between multitasking and academic performance. Nonetheless, this literature is based on cross-sectional observational data so that that estimates cannot be given a causal interpretation. To complement these studies, we opted for a longitudinal design in this study. Specifically, for three consecutive years, students at two Belgian universities, in more than ten different study programmes, were surveyed on their multitasking preferences and academic performance. Then, these results were merged with the students' exam scores. We exploited the longitudinal character of the data by running random and fixed effect models. Our results indicate that the positive and negative aspects of multitasking with respect to academic performance cancel each other out.

Suggested Citation

  • Amez, Simon & Baert, Stijn & Heydencamp, Emily & Wuyts, Joey, 2021. "Does Multitasking Affect Students' Academic Performance? Evidence from a Longitudinal Study," IZA Discussion Papers 14896, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14896
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon Amez & Suncica Vujic & Lieven De Marez & Stijn Baert, 2019. "Smartphone Use and Academic Performance: First Evidence from Longitudinal Data," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 19/986, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    2. Baert, Stijn & Omey, Eddy & Verhaest, Dieter & Vermeir, Aurélie, 2015. "Mister Sandman, bring me good marks! On the relationship between sleep quality and academic achievement," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 91-98.
    3. Andrew Bell & Malcolm Fairbrother & Kelvyn Jones, 2019. "Fixed and random effects models: making an informed choice," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 1051-1074, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    multitasking; academic performance; longitudinal data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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