Factors affecting the retention and progression of postgraduate business distance education students: an exploratory case study at the University of Southern Queensland

Masters Thesis


Carroll, David. 2008. Factors affecting the retention and progression of postgraduate business distance education students: an exploratory case study at the University of Southern Queensland. Masters Thesis Master of Business (Research). University of Southern Queensland.
Title

Factors affecting the retention and progression of postgraduate business distance education students: an exploratory case study at the University of Southern Queensland

TypeMasters Thesis
Authors
AuthorCarroll, David
SupervisorNg, Eric
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameMaster of Business (Research)
Number of Pages133
Year2008
Abstract

[Abstract]: Universities have traditionally focused their efforts on recruiting new students and increasing participation rates. However, higher retention and progression rates of students are likely to have a beneficial effect on the overall performance of universities in terms of their student-based income. The majority of previous studies addressing student retention have largely been focused on younger undergraduate on-campus students therefore this research seeks to investigate the factors which affect the retention and progression of postgraduate business students undertaking their studies by distance education. This study is based on a qualitative exploratory research design comprising twenty semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with current and former students and university staff members. The key findings of this study indicate that a combination of situational, institutional and dispositional factors impact upon the retention and progression of postgraduate business distance education students. The employment and family commitments of students, whether students believed that their studies would benefit their career goals and the design of the distance education program appear to be the most important factors impacting upon student retention and progression. In contrast to the majority of services marketing literature, it would appear that student satisfaction is not a key factor impacting upon student retention and progression in this context. This research also provides a range of managerial implications and recommendations for postgraduate distance education providers.

Keywordspostgraduate; business students; distance education; University of Southern Queensland; progression; retention
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
390103. Economics, business and management curriculum and pedagogy
390402. Education assessment and evaluation
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Management and Marketing
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9yyz5/factors-affecting-the-retention-and-progression-of-postgraduate-business-distance-education-students-an-exploratory-case-study-at-the-university-of-southern-queensland

Download files


Published Version
Carroll_2008_whole.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 3240
    total views
  • 1250
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Strategies to improve retention of postgraduate business students in distance education courses: an Australian case
Carroll, David, Ng, Eric and Birch, Dawn. 2013. "Strategies to improve retention of postgraduate business students in distance education courses: an Australian case." Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education. 14 (1), pp. 140-153.
Retention and progression of postgraduate business students: An Australian perspective
Carroll, David, Ng, Eric and Birch, Dawn. 2009. "Retention and progression of postgraduate business students: An Australian perspective." Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning. 24 (3), pp. 197-209.