Journal article
Examining undergraduate student retention in mathematics using network analysis and relative risk
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.50(3), pp.447-463
03/04/2019
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Higher education faces challenges in retaining students who require a command of numeracy in their chosen field of study. This study applies an innovative combination of relative risk and social network analysis to enrolment data of a single cohort of commencing students from an Australian regional university. Relative risk, often used in epidemiology studies, is used to strategically investigate whether first year mathematics subjects at the university demonstrated a higher risk of attrition when compared to other subjects offered in the first year of study. The network analysis is used to illustrate the connections of those mathematics subjects, identifying service subjects through their multiple connections. The analysis revealed that attrition rates for eight of the nine subjects were within acceptable limits, and this included identified service subjects. The exception highlighted the issue of mathematics competencies in this cohort. This combined analytical technique is proposed as appropriate for use when investigating attrition and retention at faculty and institutional levels, including the determination of levels of intervention and support for any subject.
Details
- Title
- Examining undergraduate student retention in mathematics using network analysis and relative risk
- Creators
- Geoff Woolcott - School of Education, Southern Cross University, Lismore, AustraliaDan Chamberlain - The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AustraliaRobert Whannell - School of Education, University of New England, Armidale, AustraliaLinda Galligan - School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
- Publication Details
- International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.50(3), pp.447-463
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- This article is funded as part of the project, Bite size maths: Building mathematics capability of low SES students in regional/remote Australia under grand no [Australian Government, Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program, National Priorities Pool-2015].
- Identifiers
- 991012926967002368
- Copyright
- © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
- Academic Unit
- School of Education; Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article