ERIC Number: EJ757071
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1521-0251
EISSN: N/A
Efficacy of Participating in a First-Year Seminar on Student Satisfaction and Retention
Hendel, Darwin D.
Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, v8 n4 p413-423 2006-2007
Improving the first-year experience has been part of a broader set of initiatives to respond to concerns about undergraduate education (Astin, Keup, & Lindholm, 2002). This research examined the efficacy of a first-year seminar on student satisfaction and retention at a Research Extensive, urban and public land-grant university. This study used survey data to compare satisfaction levels from a random sample of first-year students with those of students who had enrolled in a first-year seminar. A logistic regression model (e.g., Xiao & House, 2000) was used to determine if seminar participation affected retention. Results indicated statistically significant differences at p less than or equal to 0.05 for 15 of the 92 satisfaction items; more positive responses came from students enrolled in a first-year seminar. Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that participation did not increase the probability of retention; only high school rank was a significant contributor to the prediction of freshman-to-sophomore retention. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: School Holding Power, Probability, Undergraduate Study, First Year Seminars, College Freshmen, Student Participation, Student Attitudes, Satisfaction, Academic Persistence, School Orientation, Program Effectiveness, Urban Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
IES Cited: ED563392