Analysis on the Lack of Motivation and Dropout in Engineering Students in Spain

Abstract

The dropout rate of engineering students is a concerning problem at the present time in many countries, resulting in difficulties to follow the demand of professionals in certain technological sectors as well as an associated negative economic impact. This study identifies a number of factors affecting the motivation degree of current electrical and computer engineering students, as well as the main reasons behind the dropout. A survey was completed by 624 students belonging to 8 different Spanish universities, rating the factors that could influence them to abandon their studies and those affecting their motivation to continue studying. Non-parametric analyses were performed in order to test the association of motivation as well as self-reported likelihood of dropping out with several variables. According to the research results, 23 of the 40 analyzed factors are correlated with the degree of motivation and 14 factors are correlated with the selfreported probability of dropping out. About 46% of the students declared to have thought about dropping out at some point in the past. Difficulty, followed by bad academic performance and negative relationships with professors are the main reasons for dropping out given by the students. Lack of vocation and distance to their home address were less frequent reasons.

Assessing Users’ Perception on the Current and Potential Educational Value of an Electrical Engineering YouTube Channel

“…Videos as the ones provided by Sígueme la Corriente could also be useful to provide pre-university students with more information about electrical engineering, as well as first-hand prospects about the professional application of the degree and job stability and promotion. Therefore, as described by Tayebi et al [17], such use of the channel would be directly influencing some of the main parameters affecting dropout rates in engineering studied.…”

“…Additionally, when referring to affective deficiencies, videos are also proven to be an effective support on students' motivation and to reduce academic stress and anxiety levels [15], [16]. These aspects are highly related to dropout rates, which are specifically high in engineering disciplines [17]. Videos not only can be accessed anywhere and anytime, but also students are in control of their pace.…”

Predicting Student-Teachers Dropout Risk and Early Identification: A Four-Step Logistic Regression Approach

“…Previous studies [13][14][15] shows that most dropouts occur during freshman year. Tayebi et al [16] also agree with this assertion but noted that; it is an indication that students quickly perceive if their choice has been wrong or other identified and unidentified factors influencing their decision process. To reduce dropout rates, it is important to predict the factors that may influence students' decision to abandon their studies.…”

Analysis of the Student Dropout Rate at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of Prishtina, Kosovo, From 2001 to 2015

“…Since young people at the start of their studies are oriented toward a successful career in FECE programs, they rarely consider the delay in graduation and far fewer dropouts occur. Dropout from faculties is an international phenomenon that negatively impacts not only students, their families, and faculty but also society in general [4], [5]. Research shows that engineering students withdraw from engineering during their first year, in which case the main reasons for dropout are insufficient student suitability for the study program related to previous educational performance [6]- [11].…”

“…However, this complexity increases when dropouts occur during the second or third year of the study. In recent decades, dropout in the fields of electrical and computer engineering has been an important phenomenon not only in Kosovo but also in many other European countries, such as the United Kingdom [15], Latvia [19], Spain [4], [20], [21], and Estonia [22], as well as in countries such as Cuba [23] and Bangladesh [24]. The topic of university dropout rates is fascinating, particularly with respect to electrical engineering students.…”