Association Between The Retention Rate And The Graduation Rate
The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the percentage of the retention rate and the percentage of the graduation rate among the accredited online universities.
The growth of online universities is increasing tremendously (Young, 2011) and this has been a great challenge to the institution of higher learning majorly on the retention rates and graduation rates. The association between the graduation rate and the retention rate according to (Anon, 2014) is positive. The study further reveal that the growth of online universities have posed a greate challenge to the institution of higher learning and students experience difficulties in collaborating with the online universities. However, online accredited universities are much concerned with the retention rate and how the factor is associated with the graduation rate. The study by (Stefano et al, 2012) presents the advantages of online universities on people with disabilities, but does not show the retention rate and how it is associated with the graduation rate. Economist are interested in the results of the association between the retention rate and the graduation rate in order to make informed judgement and come up with the recommendation that will help boost the percentage of the graduation rate. This study therefore, focuses investigating the association between the retention rates and the percentage of the graduation rate.
Research design
Descriptive and inferential design research was employed for this study.
Data collection
The study utilizes quantitative secondary data that was obtained from the online education database.
Data analysis
Quantitative techniques were used for analyzing the data. Data was analyzed for both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Analysis was carried out using Excel.
The table below gives the descriptive summary of the retention rate and the graduation rate
|
RETENTION RATE (%) |
GRADUATION RATE (%) |
||
|
Mean |
57.4137931 |
Mean |
41.75862069 |
|
Standard Error |
4.315602704 |
Standard Error |
1.832018976 |
|
Median |
60 |
Median |
39 |
|
Mode |
51 |
Mode |
36 |
|
Standard Deviation |
23.24023181 |
Standard Deviation |
9.865724115 |
|
Sample Variance |
540.1083744 |
Sample Variance |
97.33251232 |
|
Kurtosis |
0.461757455 |
Kurtosis |
-0.882399313 |
|
Skewness |
-0.309920645 |
Skewness |
0.176364432 |
|
Range |
96 |
Range |
36 |
|
Minimum |
4 |
Minimum |
25 |
|
Maximum |
100 |
Maximum |
61 |
|
Sum |
1665 |
Sum |
1211 |
|
Count |
29 |
Count |
29 |
Scatter plot of the retention rate and the graduation rate
The scatter diagram reveals the Percentage of the graduation rate (dependent variable) and the percentage of the retention rate (the independent variable) vary together, in the same way, portraying an existence of a positive association between the two variables (REISENBACH, 2011)
Estimation of the regression equation
|
SUMMARY OUTPUT |
|
|
Regression Statistics |
|
|
Multiple R |
0.670244797 |
|
R Square |
0.449228088 |
|
Adjusted R Square |
0.428829129 |
|
Standard Error |
7.456104604 |
|
Observations |
29 |
|
ANOVA |
|||||
|
df |
SS |
MS |
F |
Significance F |
|
|
Regression |
1 |
1224.286 |
1224.286 |
22.02211 |
6.95491E-05 |
|
Residual |
27 |
1501.024 |
55.5935 |
||
|
Total |
28 |
2725.31 |
|
Coefficients |
Standard Error |
t Stat |
P-value |
Lower 95% |
Upper 95% |
Lower 95.0% |
|
|
Intercept |
25.42290363 |
3.746284 |
6.786166 |
2.74E-07 |
17.73616416 |
33.10964 |
17.73616 |
|
X Variable 1 |
0.284526003 |
0.060631 |
4.692772 |
6.95E-05 |
0.1601221 |
0.40893 |
0.160122 |
The regression equation to be used for estimation of the graduation rate percentage given the percentage of the retention rate is estimated as follows;
Graduation rate = 25.42290363+ 0.284526003* retention rate
The estimated equation is
y = 0.2845x + 25.423 where y represents the percentage of the graduation rate (dependent variable) and x represent the percentage of the retention rate (independent variable).
Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate
This is interpreted as;
There is a positive relationship between the two variables. An increase in one unit of the percentage of the retention rate (independent variable) will result in the corresponding increase of the percentage of the graduation rate (dependent variable) by 0.2845 units
We postulate a hypothesis as follows;
Null hypothesis: There is no association between the percentage of graduation rate and the percentage of the retention rate
Alternative hypothesis: There is an association between the percentage of graduation rate and the percentage of the retention rate
At 1% level of significance,
|
RETENTION RATE (%) |
GRADUATION RATE (%) |
|
|
RETENTION RATE (%) |
1 |
|
|
GRADUATION RATE (%) |
0.670245 |
1 |
Since the p-value 0.01, is less than the α = 0.05, we reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is enough evidence for the existence of an association between the percentage of graduation rate and the percentage of the retention rate. The correlation between the two variables is 0.670245
The percentage of the retention rate and the percentage of the graduation rate have a positive association. The two variables move in the same way or direction. Therefore, an increase of the independent variable (percentage of the retention rate) results in an increase of the dependent variable (percentage of the graduation rate) and vice versa.
|
SUMMARY OUTPUT |
|
|
Regression Statistics |
|
|
Multiple R |
0.670244797 |
|
R Square |
0.449228088 |
|
Adjusted R Square |
0.428829129 |
|
Standard Error |
7.456104604 |
|
Observations |
29 |
From the excel output, R- Square is 0.449221354. Which shows an average good fit. The regression model with the regression equation; Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate is fit for predicting the percentage of the graduation rate as shown by the R square which is 44.92%. This implies that about 44.92% of the variation in the percentage of the graduation rate (dependent variable) is being explained by the percentage of the retention rate (independent variable).
Concerns of the performance of the South University after results review
The equation to predict the percentage of graduation rate is
Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate
In the University the percentage of the retention is 51 and the percentage of the Graduation is 25
Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate
= 39.9325
As the president, I would not have any concerns regarding the performance of the University, compared to other online universities because of the continuous increase of the percentage of the percentage of graduation rate from 25 to 39.93
In the University, the percentage of the retention is 4 and the percentage of the graduation is 28
Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate
Graduation rate= 25.423 + 0.2845 * 4
= 26.561
As the president, I would have concerns regarding the performance of the University compared to other online Universities because of the decrease of the percentage of the percentage of graduation rate from 28 to 36.56 due to the decrease of the percentage of the retention rate.N
The mean of the percentage of retention rate and graduation rate are 57.41 and 41.76 respectively. This implies that universities mean percentage of graduation is less compared to the mean percentage of retention. A study that was conducted by (Sneyers, 2017) which focused on the graduation rates in the universities provide consistent results. It reveals that out 63.78% of students who graduate; 28% are from online universities. Sneyers further says that the mean percentage for the online universities is increasing tremendously across the world resenting a great challenge to the institution of higher learning.
The mean percentage of the retention and graduation rate is 57.4138 and 41.7586 respectively. The results reveal that the percentage of the minimum and maximum retention rate is 4 and 100 respectively while the minimum and maximum percentage of the graduation rate is 25 and 61 respectively
The two variables vary together in a similar way. This means that an increase of the percentage the retention rate results in a corresponding increase in the percentage of the graduation rate (Einstein, 2013). Therefore, the online universities growth rate is increasing as the retention rate increases
The estimated regression equation is
Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate
This implies that an increase of the percentage of the retention rate by one unit will result to an increase in the percentage of the graduation rate by 0.2845 units. (Rodenbusch, 2016) Studies on the ways of increasing graduation rates by employing a course-based research reveal that the graduation rates increased by 16% from 2015 to 2016. He says that the course-based research, retention rate is positively correlated with the graduation rate; which is a consistent result to these study
The correlation between the independent variable (percentage of the retention rate) and the dependent variable (percentage of the graduation rate) r =0.670245 justifies the existence of a positive correlation between the variables (Heiko et al, 2009).
A study conducted by (Murray, 2014) reveals that graduation rate and the retention rate are positively correlated and they vary in a similar way which supports this study. Murray says that dropouts in the universities is a great challenge and factor that affect the graduation rate.
The online universities percentage of graduation rate is increasing with the increase of the percentage of the retention rate (Dagley, 2015). Dagley further says that the retention rate and graduation rate should be improved through the community stem learning.
R- Square is 0.449221354. Which shows an average good fit. The regression model with the equation; Graduation rate = 25.423 + 0.2845 * retention rate is fit for predicting the percentage of the graduation rate as shown by the R square which is 44.92%. This implies that about 44.92% of the variation in the percentage of the graduation rate (dependent variable) is being explained by the percentage of the retention rate (independent variable).
Strength
The study utilized two basic statistical tools;
The study only reveals the relationship, the association and estimate of the equation for predicting the percentage of the graduation rate but does not give ways of improving the retention rate in order to increase the percentage of the graduation rate
The results obtained through regression and correlation analysis have positive implication to policy making as it provided the relationship framework between the retention and the graduation rate. The results will see more online universities adopting methods of improving the retention rate and subsequently increasing graduation rate.
References
Anon, k. (2014). Students’ seen challenges in a web collaborative learning environment: A case of higher learning teach in Nairobi, Keny. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 15(6), pp. 78-88.
Dagley, M. (2015). Expanding Maintenance and Graduation Rates Through a STEM Learning Community. Journal of student College retention : Practice & Research, 5(1), pp. 1-8.
Einstein, 2013. LOGISTIC REGRESSION ANALYSIS WITH STANDARDIZED. LOGISTIC REGRESSION, 3(1), pp. 50-62.
Heiko et al., (2009). Versatile plans with correlation test insights. Insights in Medication, 28(10), pp. 1429-1444.
Murray, M. (2014). Variables influencing graduation and understudy dropout rates at the College of KwaZulu-Natal. South African Journal of Science, 110(12), pp. 1-6.
REISENBACH, S. (2011). Affiliation Between Two Factors Measured as Extent of Loss-Reduction. Instructing Measurements, 6(2), pp. 76-86.
Rodenbusch, S. (2016). Early Engagement in Course-Based Research Increases Graduation Rates and Completion of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Degrees. Cell Science Education, 15(2), pp. 1-8.
Sneyers, E. (2017). The interaction between dropout, graduation rates and quality appraisals in colleges. Journal of the Operational Society, 68(4), pp. 45-49.
Stefano et al., (2012). Impact of cooperation, facilitator styles, and metacognitive reflection on information building in online college courses. Computers & Education, 58(3), pp. 874-884.
Young K. (2011). Online college students’ fulfillment and determination: Looking at seen level of nearness, convenience and ease of utilize as indicators in a basic model. Computers & Education, 57(2), pp. 1654-1664.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download