ERIC Number: EJ966752
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jun
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1381-2890
EISSN: N/A
A Social Network Analysis of Student Retention Using Archival Data
Eckles, James E.; Stradley, Eric G.
Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal, v15 n2 p165-180 Jun 2012
This study attempts to determine if a relationship exists between first-to-second-year retention and social network variables for a cohort of first-year students at a small liberal arts college. The social network is reconstructed using not survey data as is most common, but rather using archival data from a student information system. Each student is given a retention score and an attrition score based on the behavior of their immediate relationships in the network. Those scores are then entered into a logistic regression that includes tradition background and performance variables that are traditionally significantly related to retention. Students' friends' retention and attrition behaviors are found to have a greater impact on retention that any background or performance variable.
Descriptors: Network Analysis, Academic Persistence, Information Systems, Social Networks, Liberal Arts, School Holding Power, Correlation, College Students, College Freshmen, Surveys, Scores, Regression (Statistics), Friendship, Student Characteristics, Academic Achievement
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A