International Student Retention in American Universities
Methodology
The study aims to investigate the international student retention in American universities. Initially the preferred research design was constructed from the assumption that the necessary data for this study can be obtained from the central data system containing historical surveys pertaining to international student retention in American higher education. However, the historical data may not be able to sustain the validity and accuracy requirement of this study (Mathiyazhagan and Nandan, 2010). Therefore, it is necessary to instead to collect data using a survey. This approach uses a qualitative method that includes sampling, instrumentation, selection of participants, administration of survey questionnaire, and data analysis technique (Franklin, Walker and Statistics Canada, 2003). The survey encompasses the initiative to identify factors leading to a decline in international student admission in American universities (Jones, 2008). The focal point of this study is to test the assumption that the decline in international student retention was due to lack of university marketing, weaknesses in international and local policies, and lack of university commitment.
Research design
The data collection approach employed in this study starts with participant selection. The survey will have a target of 100 participants and are composed of international students that are formerly enrolled in top five universities that have the highest reported number of international student withdrawals. The survey is composed of two parts. Part one is made up of 10 questions that follow a rating scale of 1-5. The participants will rate each question as 1-not satisfied, 2-somewhat satisfied, 3-neutral, 4-satisfied, and 5-as very satisfied. The scores will be tabulated and plotted into a graph to be interpreted using descriptive statistical analysis. The second part of the survey is composed of 10 questions answerable by yes or no, which will be also analyzed descriptively. In terms of administering the survey questionnaires, the preferred distribution channel is through e-mail and social media polling functions. The completed surveys will be collected in the same manner as it was administered and targets a minimum survey return of 80%. On the other hand, the data analysis approach employed in this study is descriptive statistical analysis in which the average scores of each item in the survey questionnaire will be determined.
Dependent variable
The dependent variable in the given hypothesis would be the effect of the causes of identified factors (Smarayanake, 2010). These factors include course applicability, lack of university commitment, and existing foreign and local higher education policies. The dependent variable is identified as the retention rate of international students five sampled universities.
Independent variables
The independent variables are the causes or factors that produces the effect (nces.ed.gov, N.D.). For this study, the independent variables are lack of university commitment, and existing foreign and local higher education policies. These variables will be measured by means of the rating scale average obtained from the participant’s responses.
Control variables
Control variables are the factors that cannot be changed to ensure that its result will not influence the outcome of the study. In measuring retention of international students in American universities, the applicable control variable is the rate of international student admission. This variable cannot be changed or influence the outcome of the study, but instead will be used as average comparison. For example, determining retention rate requires a base value for comparison that will help identify percentage, ratio, and gaps.
References
Franklin, S., Walker, C., & Statistics Canada (2010). Survey methods and practices. Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada: Statistics Canada.
Jones, R. (2008). Student retention and success: a synthesis of research. Retrieved from EvidenceNet Synthesis website: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/EvidenceNet/Syntheses/wp_retention_synthesis_for_pdf_updated_090310.pdf
Mathiyazhagan, T., & Nandan, D. (2010). Survey research method. Retrieved from Media Mimansa website: http://www.mediamimansa.com/14-15-16%20Issues/14A%20-%20vol.%204,%20No.%201%20english%20-%20PART%20_B.pdf
Nces.ed.gov (n.d.). What are Independent and Dependent Variables?-NCES Kids' Zone. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/help/user_guide/graph/variables.asp
Samaranayake, V. A. (2010). Independent and Dependent Variables: What the heck are they? Retrieved from seql.mst.edu website: http://seql.mst.edu/2010/followup/1/IndependentDependentVariables.pdf
