Higher education in America is characterized by widespread access to college but low rates of completion, especially among undergraduates at less selective institutions. We analyze longitudinal transcript data to examine processes leading to graduation, using Hidden Markov modeling. We identify several latent states that are associated with…

Quantitative meta-analysis is a very useful, yet underutilized, technique for synthesizing research findings in higher education. Meta-analytic inquiry can be more challenging in higher education than in other fields of study as a result of (a) concerns about the use of regression coefficients as a metric for comparing the magnitude of effects…

This multi-level, longitudinal study investigated the ecumenical worldview development of 13,932 students enrolled in one of 126 institutions. Results indicated that the final hierarchical linear model, consisting of institution-and-student-level predictors as well as slopes explaining the relationships among some of these predictors, explained…

In most multi-campus studies of college impact that have been conducted over the past four decades, investigators have relied on ordinary least squares (OLS) regression as the analytic method of choice. Recently, however, some investigators have advocated the use of Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), a method specifically designed for analyses…

This study examines the variables that are the most strongly associated with institutional prestige and reputation and presents an exploratory model. This research expands earlier efforts by including more recent data on larger populations of public and private universities, as well as on liberal arts colleges. The analysis draws upon data from…

Fit a statistical model to historical college enrollment data, testing whether the model could accurately predict enrollment out-of-sample, and used the results to segment admitted students into groups so that different recruitment and marketing interventions could be applied to encourage enrollment. (EV)

For the educational researcher needing to analyze frequency counts arising from cross classification of a sample of observations on a number of qualitative variables, a unified approach is described for the analysis of the p-way contingency table which enriches our understanding of the relationships existing among the classification variables.…

A review of the literature and of currently available computer programs for the use of log-linear models in analysis of qualitative data is presented, and two types of log-linear models and procedures for investigating both types are outlined. (MSE)

A simplified example of a technique, conceived by Yates and later developed by Goodman and Haberman, for the determination of appropriate log-models in the measurement of qualitative data in higher education is presented. (Author/MLW)

Four models of possible predictors are advanced and tested using data collected from 1,164 faculty in 80 university departments and from published sources. Results indicated that there is no single set of factors that can reliably predict improvement or decline in prestige across all disciplines. (Author/LBH)

The results of a replication study are described that tested the predictive validity of a 34-item instrument designed to assess the fundamental constructs of Tinto's model of college student attrition. Potential institutional differences in faculty members' influence on retention were identified. (Author/MLW)

Application of the statistical techniques of survival analysis and credit scoring to private education loans extended to law students found a pronounced seasoning effect for such loans and the robust predictive power of credit bureau scoring of borrowers. Other predictors of default included school-of-attendance, school's geographic location, and…

There have been numerous lawsuits within higher education brought by females over pay inequity and many articles have been written on the topic. Although not as prevalent, there have been some recent instances where male faculty have claimed--with some degree of success--that the process used by their institutions to make salary adjustments for…

An analysis of student decisions to withdraw from specific courses before assignment of grades but after the "add-drop" period at the University of Minnesota is presented. In a probit model, withdrawals appear to occur randomly, with notable exceptions. Student, class, and teacher characteristics are considered as variables related to…

A new statistical model based for identifying potential major donors was developed from a portion (n=53,276) of the Northwestern University (Illinois) alumni database. The model, utilizing logit analysis, found that the most critical measure was individuals' past giving records. Results indicate prospects with a low past giving level will rarely…