The Relationship between Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and Performance on Anatomical Sciences in Medical Schools
Authors: Khalil Mohammed K. , Hawkins H. Gregory , Williams Shanna E. 
Published: November 2023

Background

This study examines the strength of association between 10‐subscale scores LASSI and student performance on the anatomical sciences (gross anatomy, histology, and embryology) and USMLE Step 1 examinations. LASSI assesses learning and study strategies based on 10 subscale measures. These subscales included three components of strategic learning: skill (Information Processing, Selecting Main Ideas, and Test Strategies), will (Anxiety, Attitude, and Motivation) and self‐regulation (Concentration, Time Management, Self‐testing, and Study Aid).

Methods

The LASSI instrument was administered to 174 students (Class of 2016, 2017, and 2018) during orientation at the beginning of their M2 year. Pearson product‐moment correlation analyses were performed to measure the strength of association between LASSI subscale scores and performance on the anatomical sciences and USMLE Step 1.

Results

Significant associations were observed between LASSI subscales Anxiety, Information Processing, Motivation, Selecting Main Idea, and Test Strategies and student performance on overall anatomical sciences and USMLE Step 1. The LASSI subscales Concentration and Time Management were significantly associated with performance on all anatomical sciences.

Discussion

Since behavioral attributes measured by LASSI subscale scores are correlated with performance on anatomical sciences and USMLE Step 1 examinations, early identification of students who lack these skills should be supported by targeted interventions to maximize academic achievement.

Conclusions

Anxiety, Information processing, Motivation, Selecting Main Idea, and Test Strategies are the LASSI subscales that are significantly correlated with performance on the anatomical sciences and USMLE Step 1 examination. Concentration and Time Management are important skills for success in anatomical sciences.

Support or Funding Information

No funding

Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations (r) between anatomical disciplines and USMLE Step1 examinations Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2‐tailed)

Discipline
No. of Questions
Mean ± SD
Pearson correlation

Anatomy
364
81.81±06.63
0.474**

Histology
112
84.95±08.55
0.470**

Embryology
052
80.52±11.57
0.263**

Anatomical Sciences
528
82.35±06.22
0.533**

Strength of association between the 10 LASSI subscales and performance on Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, overall Anatomical Sciences, and USMLE Step 1. Note: ANX, Anxiety; ATT, Attitude; CON, Concentration; INP, Information Processing; MOT, Motivation; SFT, Self‐Testing; SMI, Selecting Main Ideas; STA, Study Aids; TMT, Time Management; TST, Test Strategies.

Scale
Anatomy (N=174)
Histology (N=174)
Embryology (N=174)
Anatomical Sciences (N=174)
USMLE Step 1 (N=172)

r value
p value
r value
p value
r value
p value
r value
p value
r value
p value

ANX
0.211**
0.005
0.198**
0.009
0.045
0.560
0.221**
0.003
0.311**
0.000

ATT
0.109
0.019
0.804
0.804
0.163
0.032
0.115
0.129
0.072
0.351

CON
0.235**
0.002
0.066
0.462
0.196**
0.010
0.249**
0.001
0.141
0.065

INP
0.133
0.079
0.198**
0.009
0.031
0.685
0.161*
0.033
0.214**
0.005

MOT
0.280**
0.000
0.285**
0.000
0.388**
0.000
0.360**
0.000
0.178*
0.020

SFT
0.182*
0.016
0.089
0.243
0.181*
0.017
0.192*
0.011
0.120
0.118

SMI
0.194*
0.010
0.075
0.328
0.128
0.092
0.188*
0.013
0.234**
0.002

STA
−0.004
0.958
−0.093
0.222
0.006
0.941
0.029
0.702
−0.084
0.276

TMT
0.259**
0.001
0.213**
0.005
0.270**
0.000
0.302**
0.000
0.123
0.109

TST
0.392**
0.000
0.294**
0.000
0.273**
0.000
0.423**
0.000
0.377**
0.000

p < 0.05;

p < 0.01 (2‐tailed).