Abstract
We describe a multifaceted approach to providing information to improve student retention at an urban public university. Many students at this institution are older, working people; few live on campus and participate in “traditional” student experiences. A Retention Task Force, using qualitative as well as quantitative methods, identified problems that were barriers to student success or that contributed to student departure. We outline our results to date, address strategies for involving administrators, faculty, staff, and students, and discuss future research plans. We describe elements of a model for transferring information from the research realm into the policy arena.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Attinasi, L. C., Jr. (1989). Getting in: Mexican Americans' perceptions of university attendance and the implications for freshman year persistence.Journal of Higher Education 60(3): 247–277.
Attinasi, L. C., Jr. (1991). Phenomenological interviewing in the conduct of institutional research: An argument and an illustration.AIR Professional File No. 38, Association for Institutional Research.
Bean, J. P., and Metzner, B. S. (1985). A conceptual model of nontraditional undergraduate student attrition.Review of Educational Research 55(4): 485–540.
Crowson, R. L. (1987). Qualitative research methods in higher education. In J. C. Smart (ed.),Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Vol. III. New York: Agathon Press, pp. 1–56.
Ewell, P. (1989). Information for decision: What's the use? In P. T. Ewell (ed.), Enhancing Information Use in Decision Making.New Directions for Institutional Research 64. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pp. 7–19.
Kinnick, M. K. (1985). Increasing the use of student outcomes information. In P. T. Ewell (ed.), Assessing Educational Outcomes.New Directions for Institutional Research 47. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pp. 93–109.
Lazarsfeld, P. F., and Reitz, J. G. (1975).An Introduction to Applied Sociology. New York: Elsevier.
Morgan, D. (1988).Focus Groups as Qualitative Research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
Pascarella, E., and Terenzini, P. (1991).How College Affects Students. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Patton, M. Q. (1986).Utilization-Focused Evaluation (2nd ed.). Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
Rich, R. F. (1981).Social Science Information and Public Policy Making. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Shapiro, J. Z. (1986). Evaluation research and educational decision-making. In J. C. Smart (ed.),Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Vol. 2. New York: Agathon Press, pp. 163–206.
Task Group on Undergraduate Retention at Portland State University (1990).Interim Report (Portland, OR: Office of Institutional Research and Planning, Portland State University.
Terenzini, P. T. (1991). On the nature of institutional research and the knowledge and skills it requires. Paper presented at the 1991 Forum of the Association for Institutional Research, San Francisco, CA.
Tinto, V. (1986). Theories of student departure revisited. In J. C. Smart (ed.),Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Vol. II. New York: Agathon Press, pp. 359–384.
Tinto, V. (1987).Leaving College. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kinnick, M.K., Ricks, M.F. Student retention: Moving from numbers to action. Res High Educ 34, 55–69 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991863
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991863