Experiences of understanding in revising for degree examinations

Abstract

In much of the qualitative research on student learning in higher education, a distinction is made between approaches to learning which focus on understanding and those which rely on reproduction. Yet the nature of understanding which underlies academic studying has not been investigated. Here an exploratory study is reported which analyzes the interview responses of undergraduate students who had recently completed their revision for final degree examinations. By rigorous qualitative analysis of the transcripts a series of categories were established which described the main aspects of the nature of understanding as experienced by these students, and of how understanding was developed. Subsequent analyses indicated that there were contrasting forms of understanding which differed in terms of the breadth and depth of the understanding sought, and of the ways in which the material was organized or structured for revision purposes. Implications for teaching and examining in higher education were considered.