رسالة جامعية
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Factors Impacting Students' Selection of a Central Texas Community College
| العنوان: | An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Factors Impacting Students' Selection of a Central Texas Community College |
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| اللغة: | English |
| المؤلفون: | Lisa W. Elliott |
| المصدر: | ProQuest LLC. 2022D.Ed. Dissertation, Tarleton State University. |
| الإتاحة: | ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 212 |
| تاريخ النشر: | 2022 |
| نوع الوثيقة: | Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Two Year Colleges High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Community College Students, Community Colleges, High School Graduates, Nontraditional Students, College Choice, Experience, Background, Geographic Location, Student Characteristics, Access to Information, Web Sites, Family Role, Costs |
| مصطلحات جغرافية: | Texas |
| ردمك: | 979-88-417-6967-5 |
| مستخلص: | The concern for increasing future student enrollment in a central Texas community college was examined to determine specific strategies to proactively address this problem of professional practice during the ongoing 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic recurrence. The purpose of this research study was to consider the factors, as identified by 2021 high school graduates and non-traditional aged (25 years of age and older) students in central Texas, regarding their selection of the focus community college in pursuit of higher education. The conceptual framework for this study was an amalgamation of Tinto's (1975, 1987) interactionalist theory with Leslie and Brinkman's (1987) heterogeneous theory, which focus on the attributes of the individual and experiences specifically related to the college selection process as well as underlying financial concerns regarding the viability of attending college. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) design methodology was utilized in this qualitative study to examine "how people make sense of their major life experiences" (Smith et al., 2012, p. 1); and specific to this study, selecting a college or university in pursuit of a postsecondary education. The individual participant interview questions provided a contextual understanding of each participant's life experiences by exploring her/his family situation, lifestyle and obligations, financial considerations, and previous academic experiences concerning the five commonly researched stages in Chapman's college selection behavioral model process, including the pre-search behavior, search, application decision, choice or decision, and matriculation stages. The 18 participants in this research study were enrolled at the focus institution and either represented a 2021 high school graduate or a non-traditional aged student over 25 years of age residing in the institution's taxing district or county. Three students were selected in each category from three different residential categories: rural, urban, and suburban. While focusing on the individual characteristics of each participant, adding the residential categories provided additional insight into how location may affect the college selection process. Interviews were conducted and recorded via Zoom Education. Each interview transcript was examined and coded to determine common themes and trends among the factors impacting the participants' selection of the focus community college. The results of this study revealed the following: (1) a community college website should be easily accessible and student-centric in that it is designed to address topics focusing on the most frequently asked questions by prospective students and their advocates; (2) that family members often play integral roles in the college selection process for traditional-age (18-to-24 year old) students and non-traditional (25 years old and older) students; (3) affordability is an important factor that influences students' decisions to attend the focus community college, as the ability of a prospective student to work while attending college is important financially to self and family; and (4) college location is an important factor that influences students' decisions involving the distance between the postsecondary institution and home, class schedules and family obligations, and academic responsibilities (including travel time) and job responsibilities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| URL الوصول: | http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:29259129 |
| رقم الأكسشن: | ED647609 |
| قاعدة البيانات: | ERIC |
| ردمك: | 979-88-417-6967-5 |
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