Research Project: Analyzing Student Dropout Factors in UK Universities

This research project investigates the factors contributing to student dropout in UK universities. It identifies key reasons such as financial constraints, indecisiveness regarding chosen subjects, difficulties in balancing work and academic life, and inadequate academic preparation. The study employs both primary and secondary data collection methods, including questionnaires and thematic analysis of existing literature, to understand the scope of the problem. The research aims to determine the impact of dropping out on students' education levels and recommend strategies to reduce dropout rates. Findings highlight the importance of financial aid, career counseling, and academic support systems to enhance student retention and improve overall educational outcomes. The project also includes a timeline for research activities and a critical review of relevant literature, ultimately providing recommendations for universities to address and mitigate student dropout issues.

Research Project
1

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Formulating and recording research project outline specifications......................................4
Background of research...............................................................................................................4
Aims and objectives....................................................................................................................4
Research questions......................................................................................................................5
Methodology for data collection and analysis............................................................................5
1.2 Factors that contribute to the process of research project selection......................................5
1.3 Undertaking a critical review................................................................................................6
1.4 Research project specification...............................................................................................6
1.5 Appropriate plan for research specification..........................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Matching the resources efficiently as per the research hypothesis.......................................8
2.2 Undertaking the proposed investigation..............................................................................11
2.3 Record and collate the relevant data...................................................................................12
TASK 3 .........................................................................................................................................15
3.1 Using appropriate research evaluation techniques..............................................................15
3.2 Evaluation of results............................................................................................................16
3.3 Recommendations...............................................................................................................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................17
Covered in PPT.........................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
2

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Theme 1...................................................................................................................13
Illustration 2: Theme 2...................................................................................................................14
Illustration 3: Theme 3...................................................................................................................14
Illustration 4: Theme 4...................................................................................................................15
3

TASK 1
1.1 Formulating and recording research project outline specifications
In this particular study, it assesses that factors or causes that why do university students
drop out- a study of UK. Here, scholar is required to carry out in depth analysis regarding the
different reasons why students are dropping out in middle of their education (Yang and et. al.,
2013). Thus, universities of UK are facing real challenges in enhancing engagement of youth
within colleges and deliver then high experience in order to improve the standard of living in
future.
Background of research
As per the selected research topic, it can be assessed from the statistic collected from
Department of Public Instruction (DPI), there has been a significant change in the drop out of
adolescent youth to adopt drop out process. However, it is essential for every child to receive
education and if not complied with the law then as per the sections parents are penalized as per
the provisions. There are varied causes analyzed for a student to drop out from university such as
poverty, race or ethnicity, parental education, limited proficiency in English and family
configuration etc. Thus, retaining students in colleges is essential because it helps them in their
overall educational level and involvement in extracurricular activities (Chung and Mason, 2012).
Drug and alcohol use among students is another major cause that involves a risk among
individual to drop out at a very early age. It is mainly found among the children of high income
families. Also, if the student does not involve or participate in the extra curricular activities at
universities are at a greater risk of dropping out. However, dropping out of university can be
viewed as a process rather than an event that occurs over a long time period therefore,
intervention and prevention strategies must be developed to address the problem on multiple
levels (Rivard, 2013).
Aims and objectives
Main aim of study is to assess the factors or causes that why do the university students
drop out- a study of UK. However, on the bases of stated aim following are the objectives which
are depicted below-
 To identify the main reasons of why students drop out of universities.
 To determine the impact of dropping out on education level of students.
4

 To recommend the ways to reduce the dropping out among the students.
Research questions
 What are the main reasons regarding students leaving the universities?
 What is the impact of dropping out on education level of students?
 What are the ways of minimizing the dropping out from college among the students?
Methodology for data collection and analysis
Methodology can be stated as the crucial part of the research as it requires effectual
attention to be paid by the researcher in order to assess appropriate functions. Hence, it involves
different methods which helps scholar to adopt and make the research effective. Data collection
method involves two different types such as primary and secondary methods. In regard to collect
primary data, questionnaire is the best method that helps in determining the needs and
preferences of individual (Bayer and et. al., 2012). On the other hand, secondary sources
involves different journals, articles, online publication and government records etc, Hence, in
order to determine the data, thematic analysis has been done in order to assess best outcomes.
However, the above discussed both the data collection methods assists in collecting and
determining the data so that desired results can be achieved. Furthermore, questionnaire
developed by universities helps in analyzing the mindset of customers and thus overcome their
issues in order to achieve outcomes. Further, thematic analysis assists business in making themes
and discussing the different topic so that it can be analyzed that why student drop out from
universities (Brink, Van der Walt and Van Rensburg, 2006).
1.2 Factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
Different factors that helps in contributing to the process of research project selection
which are as follows-
 Searching the industry- It states that here researcher is required to select that particular
students who are drop out from universities from different reasons. Thus, through
assessing such factors it involves varied issues that helps in overcoming them and
achieving results (Cooper, Hedges and Valentine, 2009).
 Examining the scope of research- Furthermore, after identifying the reasons of
dropping out it helps scholar to determine the scope of the research. Thus, through
5

evaluating the causes it helps in identifying the ways of overcoming the reasons of drop
out of students from universities (Gast and Ledford, 2009).
 Analyze the accessibility of resources- Here, researcher needs to determine the
availability of resources in terms of literature, finance and time required for the present
research. However, through using particular resources it assists individual to determine
the reason of drop out (Gomm, 2008).
 End selection- At the end, researcher is required to undertake effectual research so that
varied factors can be assessed the issue regarding dropping out of universities (Ketchen
and Bergh, 2006).
1.3 Undertaking a critical review
According to the Van Houtte and Demanet (2015), drop out can be determined as the
form through which a student does not wish to attend the school/college due to different reasons
such as poverty, drug addict etc. All these factors affects the individual mind and thus they drop
out from universities. However, it is essential for children to attain basic education for the
purpose of improving their social standard and achieve desired outcomes. Further, it can be
assumed that there are certain risk factors assessed in the current study that there can be possible
risk for student to become a dropout. Thus, it is essential to identify the risk factors and try to
overcome them in regard to experience them and develop meaningful interventions for such
students who are found at risk.
Furthermore, the consequences for a student who drops out of university faces several
issues that affect social conditions of students. Also, the high schools drop out tend to work at
lower grades or pay i.e. $13000 every year or even remain job less. Moreover, involvement in
drugs and alcohol addiction is also a major cause for dropping out of students from universities
as per Lin (2015). However, systematic interventions minimize the drop out rate on a large scale
by enhancing the environmental factors in families, schools and communities that overcome the
problem.
1.4 Research project specification
In the present study, it is essential for scholar to determine the factors that helps in
identifying the causes why students drop out from universities. Thus, it is essential for scholar to
identify different factors such as drug and alcohol addict, poverty, illness etc. are the major
factors that affects the individual to drop out from universities (Cornell and et. al., 2013). Hence,
6

in order to determine such concept in more specific way, descriptive research design will be
undertaken. With the help of such analysis, it identifies the reasons why university students drop
out. Also, they are not able to concentrate upon a particular thing as they belong to rich high
class people. Thus, carrying out analysis it helps in determining the issues and try to overcome
the problems so that best results can be attained. Adopting different research approach assists the
business in analyzing the facts that students are required to determine the important of education
in order to attain effective well being (Kumar and Phrommathed, 2005). Following are the
different research methodology techniques which are as follows-
 Research design- It assesses the different factors that helps in overcoming the problems
of drop out risk and thus adopt descriptive research design. Further, with the help of such
method, the present topic under study can be assessed by the scholar effectively (Mackey
and Gass, 2015).
 Research formulation- Here, inductive research approach have been undertaken. Thus,
adopting the stated research approach assists university to develop an effectual
conclusion in regard to assess the problem and identify the facts so that results can be
attained (Marczyk, DeMatteo and Festinger, 2005).
 Data collection- It involves both primary and secondary data collection method in order
to collect information. For collecting primary data questionnaire is the best method which
can be used. On the other hand, for collecting secondary data it undertakes online articles,
journals, books and government statistics etc (Neuman, 2005).
 Sampling and sample method- In the recent study, examining different factors that
helps university to enhance the factors so that risk of dropping out can be minimized. The
sample size undertaken is of 30 students from which the main reason has been identified
of dropping out from universities. Also, the respondents are selected on the basis of
random sampling technique (Odom and et.al., 2005).
1.5 Appropriate plan for research specification
Task / Duration in week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Selection of research proposal
Developing the project
specification
7

Formulating aims and
objectives
Carrying out research
Research methodology
Conducting primary research
Examining the data
Evaluate the findings
Conclusion and
recommendations
Submitting the draft
Final submission to tutor
TASK 2
2.1 Matching the resources efficiently as per the research hypothesis
To identify the main reasons of why students drop out of universities
According to Peffers and et.al., (2007), students drop out of college for many reasons.
The conclusion usually has a lot to do with money and time, when finances are often cited as the
best reason students don't attend college, a more permanent problem is college drop rates. Even
students who are able to take out loans eventually have to worry about paying them back.
Some main reasons that encourage students to drop out/leave the universities/colleges are
discussed below:
 Financial status – As per the Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault (2015), most common reason
students leave the college is a lack of money. The students are often forced to take out
loans or work part time to pay the fees of the institution. Although, they can avoid this
situation if they have the option for getting scholarship or grants from the campus. It goes
impossible for students to afford the cost of living while completing a college degree.
 Indecisiveness – One of the favorite reason of a college student gives while leaving the
college or the university. Many students face the problem of being unsure about the
subject to choose, and then feeling no sense of responsibility to change the subject after
selecting the wrong one. As per Van den Akker and et.al., (2006), this reason cause them
8

flounder and its impact leads to the option of dropping out rather than making changes in
order to succeed.
 Balancing the level of work and life – According to Whitten and et.al., (2007), many
students find it difficult to find time to study, work on group projects and research, as
they are busy in making money to spend on necessities, their personal needs and family
needs. However, colleges usually require a minimum course load, still most of the
students are unable to arrange their work schedule to fit with their class schedule, which
result, they are forced to choose work at the expense of their education. Academically unprepared – The high school pass out students while moving to the
college find themselves burning out quickly, they feel the inability in balancing their
classwork and their social lives. As per Yi and et. al., (2012), it generally happens due to
the poor preparedness skills learned in high school. However, they don't learn the
studying and life skills for college that will help them in being responsible for getting to
class and studying on their own, they only learn the technical knowledge needed for
college life cycle. Further this factor influence the mentality of the student and
encourages him to leave the studies.
Impact of dropping out on education level of students
As per the view of Miller (2006), it can be stated that dropping out is the main factors
that affects the individual education level. Because at a very primary stage they become addict to
drug or alcohol and due to that they drop out from universities. Further, another may be personal
reason such as illness, poverty or parental educational level influences students to drop out from
school/ college. However, it influences the individual earning as they are given low pay and
grade jobs. Therefore, if an individual is required to earn high standard of living it is essential for
them to attain education and do not undertake the risk of dropping out from university. For
instance, if such situation arises and individual drop out from university it impacts upon the
earning capacity of students and they are not able to maintain their standard of living. Also, they
are given least importance in society as it is essential for individual to gain proper education
level.
On the other hand, drop out mainly impacts upon employment opportunities and thus
such individual do not obtain effective job opportunities. Therefore, it affects the education level
of students and thus earn lower hour wages. Drop outs from universities also attain low status in
9

society and thus influence their standard of living. The main reason behind drop outs is crime
also as particularly young boys are more influenced towards criminal activities while they are in
college and thus it affects their education. As per Lockhart (2004), 75% of American's state
prisoners are high school drop outs. It can be assessed that there are certain brilliant minded
people who drop out of colleges in order to create something unique and thus develop history. It
involves varied personalities such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg etc. Thus, all the
prominent personalities drop out from their college for a good reason.
Further, there are varied students who drop out from universities because of the reason of
health at the age of 18-64. As such drop outs influences their education level and ultimately
standard of living. Also, poverty in family also affects the individual and affect their education
level. Therefore, it is essential for parents to take good care of their children and involve in their
activities so that they can remain well mannered in order to become excellent person. Hence, it
can be assessed that dropping out from school/universities effect the education level of students
(Yuen and et. al., 2008).
Recommend the ways to reduce the dropping out among the students
According to the opinion of Yang and et. al., (2013), it is essential for students to engage
them in extra curricular activities so that they can be retained in the universities and avoid the
risk of dropping out. Teachers are required to develop a sense of belonging so that students does
not choose wrong path or disconnect from their peers. It is essential for family members to
timely view the activities of their children and thus make quick decision in order to overcome
dropping out effect. Different strategies can be adopted such as making learning relevant so that
boredom and disengagement of students can be overcome and help them to attend class. Further,
educational institutions are also required to pay proper attention to the level of academic bar
provided to the individual so that they can choose right path and develop their standard of living.
Also, developing learning environment helps students to build effectual plan in order to solve the
problems and deal effectively with the management to provide safe learning environment to
students. Moreover, providing workshop to students helps in managing them time so that they
can concentrate on the learning activities and thus maintain self discipline in the college to attain
high standard of living (Chung and Mason, 2012).
Moreover, universities are required to pay more attention to such people so that they can
be engaged in learning activities and thus provide them scholarships so that best working
10

opportunities can be developed. For instance, it noticed that any individual is going on wrong
track and using drug and alcohol in university area then management should provide them proper
counselling in order to overcome or minimize their dropping out reasons as per Cornell and et.
al., (2013. Further, special focus as well as recognition is the best method that helps to overcome
the dropping out of students from universities and thus achieve results. Furthermore, there are
different other suggestions that also helps researched to overcome the dropping out method so
that best results can be attained. Also, preparing schedule of time table as per the convenience of
such person helps them to give the examination and thus overcome their risk of dropping out
from college. For instance if any individual does not have adequate finance and thus they are not
able to provide the fees to the college then it may be one of the reason of dropping out. Thus, in
such case, management of university is required to view the ability of candidate and thus provide
them required scholarships so that they can be motivated in order to attain desired outcomes
(Lin, 2015).
2.2 Undertaking the proposed investigation
In order to execute the study, proper research has been carried out using effective primary
technique i.e. questionnaire. Also, the sample size collected is of 30 students from whom
responses are collected (Rivard, 2013). However, it helps in analyzing the results so that proper
data can be collected. The data analysis has been collected through thematic analysis and thus
present the results in the form of facts and figures so that dropping out can be improved.
Following is the questionnaire which can be prepared in order to determine the causes of student
drop out behavior-
Questionnaire
Name
Age
Gender
What do you think that the main reason behind student drop out behavior?
 Financial status
 Balancing the level of work and life
 Academically unprepared
 Drug and alcohol addict
11

Do you think that universities should adopt counseling strategy in order to overcome the risk of
drop out?
 Yes
 No
Education is crucial for students to achieve high standard of living in society?
 Yes
 No
Do you think that parents play a crucial role in the overall development of children?
 Yes
 No
What type of support should be provided by universities in minimizing the risk of drop out?
 Scholarship
 Motivation
 Self discipline classes
 Health awareness programs
Suggest certain ways through which student drop out behavior can be overcome by the
universities?
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2.3 Record and collate the relevant data
Theme 1: What do you think that the main reason behind student drop out behavior?
12

Financial status
Academically unprepared
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Column C
Illustration 1: Theme 1
Theme 2: Do you think that universities should adopt counseling strategy in order to overcome
the risk of drop out?
13

Yes
No
Illustration 2: Theme 2
Theme 3: Do you think that parents play a crucial role in the overall development of children?
Yes
No
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Column B
Illustration 3: Theme 3
Theme 4: What type of support should be provided by universities in minimizing the risk of drop
out?
14

Scholarship
Motivation
Self discipline classes
Health awareness
programs
Illustration 4: Theme 4
TASK 3
3.1 Using appropriate research evaluation techniques
It can be stated that business is required to undertake effective research evaluation
techniques which helps universities to provide best methods such as scholarship, training and
motivation etc. so that drop out can be overcome. Scholar is required to undertake thematic
analysis so that different themes can be prepared in order to achieve results. Further, different
themes are developed so that universities' behavior can be analyzed in terms of drop out.
Overcoming the drop out causes helps in improving the education level of students. Further,
business adopts inductive approach that is specific to general and thus it involves the researcher
to achieve desired results. It involves two different methods such as inductive and deductive and
thus within this research, it involves inductive approach that helps in providing specific and
general (Cooper, Hedges and Valentine, 2009).
Further, there are different methods undertaken by business in order to collect data such
as primary and secondary methods that helps in collecting the data in order to attain positive
outcomes. Here, questionnaire has been prepared by adopting primary data collection so that it
15

assesses the drop out behavior of students. After preparing the questionnaire it helps university
students to analyze the importance of education and thus involve their full efforts so that best
outcomes can be attained. Furthermore, secondary sources are also adopted such as articles,
books and journals etc. Moreover, scholar undertakes random sampling technique so that
students can be selected on a random basis in order to evaluate the dropping out behavior. In this,
30 respondents are selected and thus evaluate their responses which helps to identify their
opinions regarding why students drop out from universities (Gast and Ledford, 2009).
3.2 Evaluation of results
Here, in this part scholar is required to interpret the themes so that best outcomes can be
generated in order to overcome the drop out behavior of students. It is as follows-
 Theme 1 interpretation- It can be assessed that now-a-days students are becoming more
addict towards drug and alcohol and thus it leads them to drop out from university. It
states that around 12 out of 30 respondents states that drug and alcohol addict is one of
the major cause that affects the drop out behavior. Further, 8 students assess that financial
status is also a major cause of students drop out behavior from universities.
 Theme 2 interpretation- Here, 16 out of 30 students assesses that it is essential for
universities to undertake counselling strategy so that they can overcome the risk of drop
out. It helps them to motivate the students and provide them right path to raise their
education level and thus achieve desired outcomes.
 Theme 3 interpretation- In this, 19 out of 30 students states that parents play an
influential role in overall development of children. Therefore, it is essential for parents to
pay proper attention towards their children and helps them to overcome the drop out
behavior.
 Theme 4 interpretation- Further, in order to minimize the drop out behavior,
universities are required to focus upon providing scholarship method so that it helps in
minimizing the drop out risk. Further, 8 out of 30 students also states that it is essential
for universities to provide better health awareness programs for students so that it
provides opportunities for students to attain desired targets.
3.3 Recommendations
It can be evaluated that it is essential for students to undertake best methods such as
scholarship, health awareness programs etc. to minimize the risk of drop out behavior of
16

students. Further, it also helps universities to develop best students that helps them to attain
desired targets in their lives. It is suggested that universities should provide proper monitoring
and mentoring to students so that they can opt for right path and thus do not become addict to
drug and alcohol as most of the adolescent person become. Therefore, it is essential for students
to develop their education level as it helps them to minimize the risk of drop out.
TASK 4
Covered in PPT
17

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bayer, J. and et. al., 2012. Predicting Drop-Out from Social Behaviour of Students. International
Educational Data Mining Society.
Brink, H., Van der Walt, C. and Van Rensburg, G., 2006. Fundamentals of research
methodology for health care professionals. Juta and Company Ltd.
Chung, C. and Mason, M., 2012. Why do primary school students drop out in poor, rural China?
A portrait sketched in a remote mountain village. International Journal of Educational
Development, 32(4), pp.537-545.
Cooper, H., Hedges, L. V. and Valentine, J. C. eds., 2009. The handbook of research synthesis
and meta-analysis. Russell Sage Foundation.
Cornell, D. and et. al., 2013. Perceived prevalence of teasing and bullying predicts high school
dropout rates. Journal of Educational Psychology. 105(1). pp.138.
Gast, D. L. and Ledford, J. R., 2009. Single subject research methodology in behavioral
sciences. Routledge.
Gomm, R., 2008. Social research methodology: A critical introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ketchen, D. J. and Bergh, D. D., 2006. Research methodology in strategy and management.
Emerald Group Publishing.
Kumar, S. and Phrommathed, P., 2005. Research methodolog. Springer US.
Lin, S. P., 2015. Using EDM for Developing EWS to Predict University Students Drop Out.
International Journal of Intelligent Technologies & Applied Statistics. 8(4).
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Marczyk, G., DeMatteo, D. and Festinger, D., 2005. Essentials of research design and
methodology. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Neuman, W. L., 2005. Social research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Boston, MA: Allyn and bacon.
Odom, S. L. and et.al., 2005. Research in special education: Scientific methods and evidence-
based practices. Exceptional children. 71(2). pp.137-148.
Peffers, K. and et.al., 2007. A design science research methodology for information systems
research. Journal of management information systems. 24(3). pp.45-77.
Rivard, R., 2013. Measuring the MOOC dropout rate. Inside Higher Ed. 8. pp.2013.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Van den Akker, J. and et.al., 2006. Educational design research. Routledge.
Van Houtte, M. and Demanet, J., 2015. Vocational students' intention to drop out in Flanders:
the role of teacher beliefs. PROFESORADO. 19(3). pp.178-194.
Whitten, P. and et.al., 2007. A systematic review of research methodology in telemedicine
studies. Journal of telemedicine and telecare. 13(5). pp.230-235.
Yang, D. and et. al., 2013. Turn on, tune in, drop out: Anticipating student dropouts in massive
open online courses. In Proceedings of the 2013 NIPS Data-driven education workshop.
11. pp.14.
Yi, H. and et. al., 2012. Dropping out: Why are students leaving junior high in China's poor rural
areas?. International Journal of Educational Development. 32(4), pp.555-563.
18

Online
Lockhart, P., 2004. An Investigation into the causes of Student Drop Out Behaviour. [PDF].
Available through: <http://www.psy.gla.ac.uk/~steve/localed/docs/lockhart.pdf>.
[Accessed on 10 Feb 2016].
Miller, C., 2006. Dropped Out or Pushed Out: A Case Study On Why Students Drop Out. [PDF].
Available through: <http://www2.uwstout.edu/content/lib/thesis/2006/2006millerc.pdf>.
[Accessed on 10 Feb 2016].
Yuen. S. K. and et. al., 2008. Reasons for student drop out at the OUHK. [PDF]. Available
through: <http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/CRIDAL/papers/student_drop_out_1.pdf>. [Accessed
on 10 Feb 2016].
19

20