The discovery of the possible reasons for delayed graduation and dropout in the light of a qualitative research study

Abstract

Higher educational dropout is a significant area of education policy in Hungary. First, the proportion of graduated higher educational students is low when compared to the OECD average, which may be caused by dropout from higher educational courses. On the other hand, although the phenomenon of dropout has been closely investigated in several international research papers, the methodology used to determine the dropout ratio is unsatisfactory, mainly due to the lack of expert consensus. As a consequence, we do not have precise data regarding the dropout ratios, which make investigations related to this area even more necessary. The aim of this study was to measure the possible reasons for delayed graduation and dropout, and it was carried out as a qualitative study based on existing theories. In our investigation, the role of the sociocultural background; the years prior to the time spent in higher education; and the motivation of the choice of institution, employment, sports, and social activities were measured through an analysis of seven individual interviews and one focus group conversation involving 10 participants based on a semi-structured interview methodology. The causes of delayed graduation and dropout, which are more difficult to observe, are an inappropriately chosen institution and/or course, employment while studying intensively in a higher education institution, competitive sport and friends with a negative attitude toward learning. Our analysis provides a stable basis for a wider questionnaire-based investigation on a representative sample and its main units have been developed according to the research blocks of the interview analysis.

Student Employment as a Possible Factor of Dropout

“…However, in addition to gaining experience, financial reasons are dominant. Earlier research shows that the majority of university students work to cover their living expenses and to a lesser extent, finance their entertainment [3,6]. According to Masevičiūtė et al [6] in the Balkan countries, the main reason for students to work is to pay tuition fees, finance living expenses, gain experience and support others.…”

“…16% of those who were disappointed in their major and further education decided to work abroad, while to rest of the clusters have a lower rate of the same. Bocsi et al [3] found that students' unfavorable socio-cultural background exacerbates the negative effects of employment. Furthermore, endangered those working students who were forced to work due to their financial difficulties.…”

“…In the process of dropout, it is worth mentioning the combination of factors that may increase the negative impact of employment, such as the family and financial background of the students, the motivation to work and their relationship to their studies. Previous research [3] also showed that students who have low, unfavorable status indicators and work because of their financial difficulties, and students who find their studies non-marketable are more vulnerable to dropping out. Working not only reduced the time spent on studying, but also the students' commitment to study, as the attractiveness of the labor market was even more pronounced among dropout students, they believed that their workplace provided a greater financial security and work was a 'promise' of their future employment, so they have chosen to interrupt their studies instead of completing them [3].…”

“…Previous research [3] also showed that students who have low, unfavorable status indicators and work because of their financial difficulties, and students who find their studies non-marketable are more vulnerable to dropping out. Working not only reduced the time spent on studying, but also the students' commitment to study, as the attractiveness of the labor market was even more pronounced among dropout students, they believed that their workplace provided a greater financial security and work was a 'promise' of their future employment, so they have chosen to interrupt their studies instead of completing them [3]. In our research, we focused on the role of employment in the process of dropout and we have examined how often and for what reason the dropout students worked during their studies.…”

“…Student employment is a double-edged sword, as on the one hand, it can reduce the academic performance of the students and on the other hand, it can have positive effects on the long run. In addition of earning money, the main advantage of working during studies is gaining work experience, enriching the CV with that work experience and gaining a better understanding of the structure of the labor market, which may be an advantage for students after graduation [1,2,3]. It also has a positive impact on oral communication skills, teamwork, improves time management capabilities and students can expand their social connections through work [4,5].…”