2017 Conference Archive

Employing qualitative research methods to understand the first-year experience

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Track

Research Proposal / Assessment of Student Learning

Abstract

This study presents findings from research that employed qualitative methods to understand the first-year experience. Participants were students enrolled in a mandatory first semester student success course. Three instructional strategies were used to generate data: reflective journal writing, visual narratives and student drawings. Qualitative analysis was used to identify emergent themes. Findings provide novel insights about the first-year experience from the student’s perspective. These new understandings have important implications for assessing and improving teaching and learning in higher education.

Session Format

Poster Session

Publication Type and Release Option

Event

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Mar 29th, 4:00 PM Mar 29th, 5:00 PM

Employing qualitative research methods to understand the first-year experience

This study presents findings from research that employed qualitative methods to understand the first-year experience. Participants were students enrolled in a mandatory first semester student success course. Three instructional strategies were used to generate data: reflective journal writing, visual narratives and student drawings. Qualitative analysis was used to identify emergent themes. Findings provide novel insights about the first-year experience from the student’s perspective. These new understandings have important implications for assessing and improving teaching and learning in higher education.