Establishing Baseline Data: Using Institutional Data to Learn More about Completion Factors at One New Zealand University
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| Title: | Establishing Baseline Data: Using Institutional Data to Learn More about Completion Factors at One New Zealand University |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Clark, Austina, van der Meer, Jacques, van Koten, Chikako |
| Source: | Journal of Institutional Research. Nov 2008 14(1):43-57. |
| Availability: | Australasian Association for Institutional Research. 546 Gallymont Road, Mandurama, NSW 2792, Australia. +61-2-6367-5347; e-mail: secretary@aair.org.au; Web site: http://www.aair.org.au |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2008 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Data, Institutional Research, Universities, Influences, Graduation Rate, Comparative Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Regression (Statistics) |
| Geographic Terms: | New Zealand |
| ISSN: | 1443-2110 |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses demographic and study-related factors that contribute to completion of degrees in one university in New Zealand. Although much can be learned from nationwide and cross-institutional studies, it is important that each institution comes to an understanding of its own particular student population and the factors that impact on retention and completion in its own context. Institutions have different student populations and different contextual factors that impact on completion rates. Understanding institutional data will enable strategies and interventions that are relevant to its particular context. In this initial project we sought to replicate, as closely as possible, a nationwide study with a similar focus. Using a similar statistical approach enabled us to compare the results. The main questions the authors sought to answer, therefore, were: (1) do completion rates within one institution differ between years; (2) what are the differences in completion rates and factors between the overall national data and the single institution data, and what can be learned from that for possible interventions? The results suggest that although there are similarities between the two studies, there were significant differences as well. These differences could be used to inform institutional interventions that would enhance completion rates. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 27 |
| Entry Date: | 2015 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1055578 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses demographic and study-related factors that contribute to completion of degrees in one university in New Zealand. Although much can be learned from nationwide and cross-institutional studies, it is important that each institution comes to an understanding of its own particular student population and the factors that impact on retention and completion in its own context. Institutions have different student populations and different contextual factors that impact on completion rates. Understanding institutional data will enable strategies and interventions that are relevant to its particular context. In this initial project we sought to replicate, as closely as possible, a nationwide study with a similar focus. Using a similar statistical approach enabled us to compare the results. The main questions the authors sought to answer, therefore, were: (1) do completion rates within one institution differ between years; (2) what are the differences in completion rates and factors between the overall national data and the single institution data, and what can be learned from that for possible interventions? The results suggest that although there are similarities between the two studies, there were significant differences as well. These differences could be used to inform institutional interventions that would enhance completion rates. |
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| ISSN: | 1443-2110 |
