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Dave Evans - Research Abstract

Online Student Retention

The goal of this research project is to develop a model for inquiry into factors that lead to higher online student retention, or those that may lead to lower student retention. The identified factors will be: from the perspective of the student; within the control of the institution or instructor; and, generalizable to use by all 108 California Community Colleges.

Phase I will be to conduct a series (2-3) of online focus groups of randomly selected students that are currently enrolled in online classes. Open-ended questions will be supplied that will encourage student response and input. The outcome of this activity will be a set of questions to be used on the survey that will be administered to the entire body of online students.
Phase II will be to create the survey and a website that will be used to administer the survey.
Phase III will be to invite the online student population to visit the website and to anonymously complete the form.
Phase IV will be to analyze the results.

The questions that are to be answered as a result of this research include:

As perceived by the students:

What are the blocks to retention created by the institution?
What are the blocks to retention created by the instructor?