What is it about?
This study explores whether we can use questionnaires at the start of the academic year to predict end of year outcome. The results suggest that this a possibility. If used correctly the questionnaires could help us identify students potentially at risk of non-completion, enabling targeted support to improve retention.
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Why is it important?
Improving retention is important as attrition is bad for the individual and for the institution. The individual who withdraws from a programme may incur financial debt from the student loan, suffer damage to their self-esteem and will face poorer employment prospects. For the institution, it is a waste of resources and damaging for its reputation and its place in the league tables. if we know which students are most at risk of early withdrawal, we can use our limited resources to greatest effect in terms of support.
Perspectives
This is the second publication using these questionnaires and although the student group differs from the other study, the conclusion is the same which suggests that this is a robust effect.
Dr Lalage D Sanders
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Detecting uncertainty, predicting outcome for first year students, July 2016, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/jarhe-10-2015-0076.
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