Kris MacDonald - PASA 2015 E-Poster by Kris

Explanation of My Core Idea Map

km3282 — 2015-04-18 16:12:12 UTC

Core Idea Map of Topic

km3282 — 2015-04-18 16:12:12 UTC

Kris MacDonald, BA, MSed, Ed.D. in progress

km3282 — 2015-04-18 16:20:11 UTC

Research Introduction

km3282 — 2015-04-21 19:36:26 UTC

Student retention is a topic that has been widely studied for many decades in a variety of ways. One strategy to enhance student retention has been the implementation of a first-year seminar course teaching basic college skills such as time management, test taking strategies, stress and financial management and study skills. For adult learners who have not been in the classroom in quite a while, these skills cannot be more pertinent to their success and retention in a program. Many for-profit colleges, run on student’s tuition payments and federal financial aid, relies on high retention and low attrition to function, yet very few of them incorporate a mandatory freshman seminar course in its curriculum.

This researcher is looking to prove that the implementation of a mandatory first-year seminar course in all majors at an allied health for-profit college will better prepare its students, thus increasing completion and self-efficacy rates.This research will examine the efficacy of a first-year seminar course on student retention, performance, and self-efficacy for adult learners at for-profit colleges. An absence of research at this level, coupled by the closing of numerous for-profit colleges across the United States due to poor retention propels the urgency for this research to be conducted.

At this stage, this researcher is relying on primary and secondary sources of other researchers, but intends to pursue this topic for her dissertation and soon conduct personal studies within a year.

Potential Research Questions

km3282 — 2015-04-21 19:37:31 UTC

1. How does a College Success course in the first year of collegiate study effect
student success (i.e., retention, GPA, engagement)?

2. What academic skills are most critical to supporting persistence and retention rates for newly matriculated students?

3. What factors are related to student completion and attrition rates at a for-profit college?

4. How do College Success courses impact student self-efficacy, motivation and engagement?

Research Topic

km3282 — 2015-04-21 19:42:27 UTC

This research will examine the efficacy of a first-year seminar course on student retention, performance, and self-efficacy for adult learners at for-profit colleges. An absence of research at this level, coupled by the closing of numerous for-profit colleges across the United States due to poor retention propels the urgency for this research to be conducted.

Significance of the Research

km3282 — 2015-04-21 19:44:13 UTC

With a population of predominantly adult learners, most for-profit colleges experience high
attrition rates when external pressures seemingly leave students with no other choice other than to terminate their enrollment. Implementing a required first-year seminar course in the programs would have a multitude of beneficial impacts. It would provide adult learners with the
tools and support they need to achieve their goal, thus improving student satisfaction and retention.

Self Introduction & Research Overview

km3282 — 2015-04-21 20:04:10 UTC

Research Purpose

km3282 — 2015-04-25 16:34:20 UTC

The purpose of this research is to examine and prove that the implementation of a mandatory first-year seminar course at for-profit colleges will better prepare its students with necessary schooling and life skills, thus creating prepared, well-rounded students and increasing self-efficacy, retention and completion rates.

Definitions

km3282 — 2015-04-25 18:34:43 UTC

Key terms defined

Limitations

km3282 — 2015-04-25 18:35:07 UTC

Next Steps of the Research

km3282 — 2015-04-25 18:35:20 UTC

Preliminary Findings

km3282 — 2015-04-25 18:35:36 UTC

Research Methods

km3282 — 2015-04-25 18:35:51 UTC

Contact Me

km3282 — 2015-04-26 02:33:55 UTC

Please feel free to contact me at km3282@drexel.edu. I would love to hear your feedback

Theories Regarding Retention

km3282 — 2015-04-28 12:50:54 UTC

Preliminary Discussion

km3282 — 2015-04-28 12:51:58 UTC

At this time, the study is being planned, therefore there is no preliminary discussion available

Author Contributions

km3282 — 2015-04-28 12:53:18 UTC

This author's future contributions to this field and topic will be replicable strategies institutions can utilize to increase student satisfaction, retention and persistence.

Thank You!

km3282 — 2015-04-28 12:55:44 UTC

Thank you for taking the time to examine my preliminary research. I am very excited about the pursuit of this research and its direction. I would welcome any feedback you may be willing to extend.