Keywords
Validity of the Scales, Academic Performance, Influencing Factors, Risk Factors, University Education, University Students
Abstract
Course failure is a manifestation of low academic performance and serves as an indicator of the quality of higher education. Although questionnaires exist to study this phenomenon, validated and context-specific tools are needed to assess the multiple causes of course failure in Mexico. The objective of this study was to validate the psychometric properties of the University Course Failure Causes Inventory among Mexican students. An instrumental design was employed with a sample of 292 participants. Following a linguistic validation of the inventory, its psychometric properties were examined using factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and Hancock’s omega. The mean age of participants was 20.4 ± 5.89 years, and 60.6% were male. Factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure (pedagogical causes, academic behavior causes, and economic and health-related causes) with excellent fit indices (?²/df = 1.14, IFI = .92, CFI = .92, TLI = .90, RMSEA = .06 [90% CI: .050, .075], SRMR = .05). These dimensions allow for an understanding of how students’ individual processes interact with educational practices and external conditions. The results indicate that the inventory is a valid and reliable instrument, useful for diagnosing the causes of course failure. This information provides a solid basis for designing mentorship programs, academic support interventions, and evidence-based educational policies aimed at reducing course failure and improving educational quality.
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Technical information
Received: 2025-07-29 | Reviewed: 2025-09-06 | Accepted: 2025-09-09 | Online First: 2026-01-02 | Published: 2026-01-04
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Dr. David Zepeta-Hernandez., Dra. Nazaria Martinez-Diaz. (2026). Psychometric Validation of the Inventory of Causes of University Course Failure. Comunicar, 34(84). 10.5281/zenodo.18115956