Conclusion
Student retention, according to the literature review, is a function of the level of academic integration and social integration between the student and the school environment. These levels of integration can predict student satisfaction and therefore student persistence (retention). Further predictors include individual competency, student faculty relationships, and family/financial support.
This study has categorized the major concerns of the students into groups with keywords as follows: Academic Standards, Learning Environment, Student Ability, Peer Relations, Services, and Campus & Facilities. These form the basis or framework for a model that can be applied to the question of student retention. This model can be tested over time and adjusted to improve its predictive ability.
The ultimate goal of being able to come to an understandable conclusion with regards to the nature of retention and attrition in our institution is a long-term task that requires more research. This lengthy procedure may also involve frequent revision of some of the steps with the discovery of new data. One of the earlier stages is to determine the potential issues affecting students’ satisfaction with the institution, a step which was successfully initiated in this research. Attention has been given to compiling this list since understanding and being up-to-date with the issues of satisfaction an integral part of any retention campaign. This study took an important first step by creating a practical list of relevant issues that we could be referred to when composing future questionnaires and interview questions.
Objectives A Survey of Students to Identify and Categorize Issues Contributing to Student Satisfaction as Related to Academic Retention and Social Integration
1) To identify the issues that cause students’ satisfaction / dissatisfaction with the institution.
2) To initiate a list of satisfaction issues among the students.
Research Questions
1) What are some of the issues that cause students to be less than satisfied with the institution?
2) Can a list be made of these issues and the issues categorized to assist in the further study of student satisfaction?
Abstract
Central to understanding the nature of retention and attrition is discovering the key issues that affect the level of satisfaction with the college. This research looked at the factors that may affect student retention by collecting data from a survey of student satisfaction among Bangkok University International College students. Interviews were conducted with 22 second-year students from the 2008 batch of entrants selected using purposive sampling. The result of the survey is a list of issues which is then categorized to assist in creating workable frameworks for predicting and improving student retention specifically for the institution in question.