Investigation of the effect of distance education on academic achievement with multiple comparison tests: Example of Süleyman Demirel University

Educational methods and materials evolve and change to increase academic success. Apart from these planned changes over the years, in extraordinary situations, it may be necessary to use some methods more and apply new methods. In events and situations with great impact such as health, war, and natural disasters in the world, education methods appropriate to the time and environment are preferred. The Covid - 19 Pandemic epidemic experienced worldwide has negatively affected the routine functioning of life in every aspect, as well as education and training activities have come to a halt. During this period, the distance education model was widely applied in our country. This study aims to compare the distance education method applied at SDU during the pandemic period and the face-to-face education method applied before the pandemic in terms of student success. The data of this quantitative research conducted for this purpose consists of student success indicators recorded in the SDU student information system in the relevant period. Data were analyzed through multiple comparison tests. Analyzes were made according to units, fields and periods, using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner (DSCF) test and Logarithmic Linear Regression tests, and distance education and face-to-face education success levels were compared. With the analyses, numerical and letter grade success indicators and raw success grade averages of the students studying at Suleyman Demirel University in the 2018 spring and 2019 fall semesters, which are the formal education period, and the 2019 spring and 2020 fall semesters, which are the pandemic period, were analyzed and the results were obtained.