A comparison of student persisters and nonpersisters in allied health education programs in the community college setting /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to identify nonacademic variables possessed by students who would most likely persist to the completion of an allied health education program sponsored through a community college. One hundred and eighty-seven beginning students enrolled in nine different allied health education programs at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas, participated in this study. Students were tracked for two semesters (fall, 1989 to spring, 1990). In May, 1990, students were classified as persisters or nonpersisters. Variables of interest were grouped into three categories: background, motivation, and work values. In all, 38 variables were examined. A three step discriminant statistical analysis was applied using the SAS/STAT PC computer software. These steps involved testing a multivariate hypothesis (MANOVA), stepwise discriminant variable identification, and discriminant classification. The last step in the analysis procedure used two randomly assigned groups. This allowed the discriminant functions to be trained and tested by separate groups which reduced biases in the resultant error-count estimates. Three background variables were found to possess possible secondary relationships: marital status, perceived number of faculty visits, and whether the student was independent or dependent upon means of transportation. The accuracy of outcome classification for the test group based on background variables was 53% and accounted for 7.3% of the total variance in this category. Persisters did not perceive a need to visit faculty on a weekly basis, were more likely to be married, and used their own vehicle as a means of transportation to college. Motivation traits accounted for approximately 7.9% of the variance and correctly classified 64% of the test group. The influential variables were achievement behavior (the perceived need to perform well) and recognition behavior (the perceived need to be viewed as a person who performs well). There was reasonable cause to suggest the nonpersisting student lacked a functional relationship with perception of time in the present tense and, because of this, had difficulty in maintaining his or her attentiveness to the task of completing the selected allied health program. Work values displayed no statistically significant relationships between persisters and nonpersisters. The evidence suggested through this study that the differences in work values may lie between occupation industries, but not within. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Adult and extension education." |
| Physical Description: | ix, 114 leaves ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |