The impact of student retention strategies: an empirical study

Abstract

Crisp, J. (2013) 'The impact of student retention strategies: an empirical study', Int. J. Management in Education, Vol. 7, Nos. 1/2, pp.22-43. AuthorsElke Abstract: A major concern for institutions and instructors is the high dropout rate of students in online courses. This study investigated the impact of student retention strategies on retention rates in an online information systems course. A treatment group exposed to retention strategies related to student engagement, learning communities, student services and learner centred environments was compared with a control group. Results suggested that retention strategies may not impact retention rates. This is important as faculty are routinely encouraged to implement similar strategies in online course design and delivery.

Building Rapport to Improve Retention and Success in Online Classes

“…Some studies find no significant relationship between faculty participation and course completion rates (Cochran et al 2014;Grandzol and Grandzol 2010;Leeds et al 2013). In fact, some even conclude that "efforts to include extensive faculty feedback and interaction in online courses (Bocchi, Eastman, and Swift 2004) may actually be counterproductive" (Grandzol and Grandzol 2010, 10).…”

“…In a 2013 study, Leeds et al implemented all the best practices outlined by Angelino, Williams, and Natvig (2007). Although the study included a number of resource-intensive interventions, Leeds et al (2013) found no significant improvement in retention. Similarly, Tirrell (2009) examined online community college instructors and found that those who used Chickering and Gamson's (1987) seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education, including instructor-student contact, did not have lower attrition rates.…”

Estratégias Para Detecção Precoce De Propensão À Evasão

“…A ocorrência da situação em que estudantes iniciam mas não terminam seus cursos gera desperdícios sociais, acadêmicos e econômicos (Tinto, 1975;Lobo, Montejinas, Hipólipo y Lobo, 2007;Park y Choi, 2009;Nistor, 2010;Leeds, 2013).…”

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Lecture Capture: Lessons Learned from an Undergraduate Political Research Class

“…A team of researchers at Kennesaw State University (Leeds et al 2013) conducted an extensive experiment in a business information systems course that tested the proposals suggested by Angelino, Williams, and Natvig (2007). Students selfregistered for online sections that were then randomly assigned to different strategies for addressing attrition and performance.…”

“…This intuitive claim has not been validated in the most rigorous of empirical tests. This suggests the need for future research that integrates the existing scholarship on student characteristics (Wojciechowski and Palmer 2005), personality and learning styles (Harrington andLoffredo 2010 andCartnal 1999), and innovative strategies (Angelino, Williams, andNatvig 2007, andLeeds et al 2013). The stakes are high in this endeavor because, without an answer, the profession is writing off 30% of the students in the online classes.…”