TY - JOUR
T1 - Calculating non-completion rates for modules on institution-wide language programmes : some observations on the nature of seemingly objective figures
AU - Reimann, Nicola
PY - 2004/5
Y1 - 2004/5
N2 - This article discusses the issues and problems which typically arise in the process of compiling non-completion statistics, using the example of an empirical investigation of student non-continuation on an institution-wide language programme. The research highlights the fact that the validity of seemingly neutral dropout figures depends on the interests and overt or covert aims of the various stakeholders concerned, the definition of (non-)continuation, the definition and identification of original module participants and of non-continuing students, the number and types of records used and the timing of the calculation. One of the main purposes of the article is to make readers more critical towards claims and data on student retention and dropout, particularly in the absence of information on the way in which they were arrived at, as well as their use as performance indicators.
AB - This article discusses the issues and problems which typically arise in the process of compiling non-completion statistics, using the example of an empirical investigation of student non-continuation on an institution-wide language programme. The research highlights the fact that the validity of seemingly neutral dropout figures depends on the interests and overt or covert aims of the various stakeholders concerned, the definition of (non-)continuation, the definition and identification of original module participants and of non-continuing students, the number and types of records used and the timing of the calculation. One of the main purposes of the article is to make readers more critical towards claims and data on student retention and dropout, particularly in the absence of information on the way in which they were arrived at, as well as their use as performance indicators.
U2 - 10.1080/0309877042000206714
DO - 10.1080/0309877042000206714
M3 - Article
SN - 0309-877X
VL - 28
SP - 139
EP - 152
JO - Journal of Further and Higher Education
JF - Journal of Further and Higher Education
IS - 2
ER -