Effect of Knowledge Retention From the First Principles Course on Performance in the Second Principles Course

Abstract

We explore the impact retention of specific concepts from the first course in accounting principles has on student performance in the subsequent course. There has been worthwhile research on the effect of general factors such as prior performance and knowledge. We extend this work by considering how gaps in students’ understanding alter their success in a subsequent course. In these analyses we find a student’s inability to demonstrate understanding of key concepts from the financial accounting course are significantly related to important learning objectives in the second course. These findings suggest potential areas to re-enforce early in the managerial course.