Factors influencing access students’ persistence in an undergraduate science programme: A South African case study

Lubben, Fred; Davidowitz, Bette; Buffler, Andy; Allie, Saalih; Scott, Ian M.

doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.11.009

Cited by 22 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…These reasons for dropout are quite similar to those found by Lubben, Davidowitz, Buffler, Allie and Scott (2010) for academic development students at the University of Cape Town. Table 2 also shows that 82 students (24%), that is, almost a quarter of the students, transferred to other faculties after one year.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 80%

Evaluating the Success of a Science Academic Development Programme at a Research-intensive University

Engelbrecht

Harding

Potgieter

2014

African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technol

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Academic development (AD) programmes for students not complying with the entrance requirements of mainstream programmes in science have been running at a number of universities in South Africa. In this study we contribute to the debate on criteria for the success of AD programmes, specifically in the context of research-intensive universities in South Africa. We identify five quantitative criteria for evaluating such a programme: retention, completion rate, migration to other faculties, comparison with other institutions and enrolment in graduate studies. Most of these criteria are relatively common in evaluating similar programmes whereas the extent of migration to other faculties is particular to this study. We illustrate the use of these criteria evaluating the BSc Four Year Programme at the University of Pretoria based on the group of students who registered for the programme in 2008. We found that around 15% of this group had completed their studies in the minimum time while the eventual completion rate of students getting degrees is expected to be in the order of 50%. The attrition rate across the four year science degree programme was high (43%), but the majority of students who terminated their studies did so during the first year. Of those still enrolled in their fourth year a high percentage of students remained in science-related programmes (79%). The fact that more than half of first graduates had enrolled for postgraduate programmes in 2012 is a criterion for success that is especially important for a research-intensive university.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 80%

Evaluating the Success of a Science Academic Development Programme at a Research-intensive University

Engelbrecht

Harding

Potgieter

2014

African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technol

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“…While attributing poor behavioral and achievement related outcomes to the lack of role models is intuitive and backed up by evidence (Aaro et al, 2006; Kalichman & Simbayi, 2003; Lubben, Davidowitz, Buffler, Allie, & Scott, 2010), there has been surprisingly little attention paid to a more basic question: how do Black youth in South Africa construct role models? Who do they admire and why?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who Would You Like To Be Like? Family, Village, and National Role Models Among Black Youth in Rural South Africa

Madhavan

Crowell

2013

Journal of Adolescent Research

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In this paper, we examine how Black youth in rural South Africa construct role models and connect them to their own life aspirations. We pay particular attention to individual and group identity development in shaping these perceptions. Based on analysis of qualitative data from 99 Black male and female youth aged 14–22, we find that 1) the choice of role models reflects a balancing strategy to reconcile individual and group identity development; 2) while the reasons they give for choosing role models are aligned with dominant models of upward mobility in the new South Africa (and globally), our respondents are also attuned to the difficulty of attaining such success and 3) the choices underscore the continued importance of close and extended kin amidst an increasingly ego focused life strategy aimed at individual status attainment. These findings can contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at strengthening positive influences in the lives of Black youth in South Africa.

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“…In many cases utility is attributed to degrees that are not actually in great demand, and vice versa. Moreover, it has been found that although they appear repeatedly in studies and forums, personal factors and the social influence affecting decisionmaking, have not been adequately measured (Barnes & Mattson, 2009;Bowden & Wood, 2011;Guerra & Rueda, 2005;Lubben, Davidowitz, Buffler, Allie, & Scott, 2010 ). Also significant are the strategic actions taken by universities aimed at recruiting students either directly or indirectly through strategic plans in R + D + i, comprehensive management or a relationship with the environment (Corominas & Sacristan, 2011;León, 2011) or perhaps by using social networks, because those who are best connected do better in their life (Benson, Morgan, & Filippaios, 2014;Cheung, Chiu, & Lee, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Questionnaire for the assessment of factors related to university degree choice in Spanish public system: A psychometric study

Peró

Soriano

Capilla

et al. 2015

Computers in Human Behavior

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Elsevier Peró, M.; Soriano Jiménez, PP.; Capilla Lladró, R.; Guàrdia I Olmos, J.; Hervás, A. (2015). Questionnaire for the assessment of factors related to university degree choice in Spanish public system: A psychometric study. Computers in Human Behavior. 47:128-138. doi:10.1016Behavior. 47:128-138. doi:10. /j.chb.2014 Questionnaire for the assessment of factors related to university degree choice in Spanish public system: a psychometric study ABSTRACTUniversities are interested in attracting students, but they do not usually have data relating to students' intentions. Furthermore, both general and subjective factors are taken into account by students when choosing a degree and a university. This paper presents a psychometric study of a questionnaire which aims to assess variables relating the aspects involved in the selection process and accessing the Spanish university system. This questionnaire considers six factors: Consideration of the University; Perceived Usefulness; Social Impact; Vocational Aspects; Influence of Surroundings and Geographic Location. The item analysis (discrimination index) reduced the questionnaire to 25 items, and the reliability and validity of this final questionnaire was analyzed using a sample of 1532 students from eight Spanish universities. The results showed that the reliability as internal consistency of the six factors was high; the construct validity showed a structure of six first order factors clustered in two second order factors and finally, there was high discriminant validity between groups defined by variables such as gender or academic area. Applying predictive analytics to the results of this questionnaire will then enable specific recruiting policies to be applied, which target the type of students that universities are looking for, while reducing costs. Highlights• The Spanish public university access system is described.• A questionnaire is proposed for the assessment of factors associated with the choice of degrees.• Psychometric study: reliability and construct validity.• A tool is presented that can be used to design recruitment policies for universities.

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Factors influencing access students’ persistence in an undergraduate science programme: A South African case study

Cited by 22 publications

References 26 publications

Evaluating the Success of a Science Academic Development Programme at a Research-intensive University

Evaluating the Success of a Science Academic Development Programme at a Research-intensive University

Who Would You Like To Be Like? Family, Village, and National Role Models Among Black Youth in Rural South Africa

Questionnaire for the assessment of factors related to university degree choice in Spanish public system: A psychometric study

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