Examining the Sequence of Factors Affecting Student’ Tendency to Dropout: a Case Study in Greece

Abstract

Speaking of the causal spectrum of dropout we are referring to something not simple but highly complex. In this context, the issue of dropping out of studies is considered critical within the area of higher education due to its impact on the individual, the university and the society as a whole. In this study, an effort was made to investigate students’ tendency to dropout and to identify the sequence of factors that influence it, as well as its configuration per School. For this purpose, hierarchical regression trees were applied for the factors that compose the dropout index, holistically and separately per school, while for each factor the corresponding hierarchical tree with its items has been analyzed further. The responses of 696 students who have not definitely dropped out of their studies at University of Patras were analyzed. The findings indicate that the factors related to students’ academic performance have the greatest impact compared to personal, economical, institutional and social set of factors, on the tendency to dropout. In particular, the perceived level of education, the provision of knowledge as the basis of solving complex real-world problems and student’s academic efficacy emerge as the most crucial issues of the academic factorial category in regards to student’s tendency to dropout.