Exam Absence Survey:
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Transcript of Exam Absence Survey:
Exam Absence Survey:Preliminary Analysis & Findings
Presented at the Extended Management Committee
2 February 2010Professor George Subotzky
Executive Director: Information & Strategic Analysis
Acknowledgements
The following staff members of DISA were involved in design, administration & analysis of this survey:– Hanlie Liebenberg: design– Yuraisha Chetty: design & oversight– Lerato Tladi: design, implementation, data
analysis & preparation of presentation– George Subotzky: design, interpretation &
presentation– Pam Pistorius: admin support
Introduction & Background• Efforts to improve Unisa’s course success rates
are thwarted not only by failure, but also attrition prior to writing
• Analyses have shown that up to 10% of students are admitted to exams, but for a variety of reasons do not write
• At the final signoff meeting for the exam results of the 2009 Oct/Nov sitting, it was decided to investigate the reasons for this
• Accordingly, DISA was requested to design and conduct a survey to do this and to report by the end of January
Conceptual Framework & Method• At the heart of the Success & Retention model
lies the assumption that non-academic factors impact as much, if not more than academic ones one student success
• Accordingly, the survey was designed to investigate all probable reasons for exam absence – both academic & non-academic
• 13 questions & 158 items• Relevant students were identified
– Problem of not being able to distinguish absentees from results outstanding, practical & PG students)
• Survey notification sent by e-mail & SMS with link to access electronic survey
Focus
• Preliminary analysis – focusing on main findings
• Subsequent analysis – focusing on relationship between variables and background demographics
Response Rate
• Survey population (13 Jan): 27 299• Response rate (25 Jan): 2 359 (8,7%) (full)• Response rate (2 Feb):
– Total responses: 5 105 (19,0%)– Full responses: 3 747 (13,7%)
• This represents a remarkably high response rate
• Frantic responses from many students – part of the findings
Full-Time (Study only) Part-Time (Work and Study)
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
5.7%
94.3%
Mode of Study
Academ
ic Fact
ors
Non-ac
adem
ic fact
ors
Factor
s with
in yo
ur con
trol
Factor
s bey
ond y
our c
ontro
l0%
20%
40%
60%
11.2% 16.0% 15.9%
56.9%Reasons for Exam Absence
Very well prepared
Somewhat prepared
A little prepared
Not at all prepared
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
25.3%
37.4%
17.7% 19.7%
Exam Preparedness
Inadequate feedback on assignments
Did not understand the study material
Did not know what to expect in the examination
Wasn't motivated to write
Lacked confidence to write
Insufficient study time
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
5.0%
9.8%
10.4%
11.3%
24.9%
38.5%
Reasons for Exam Unpreparedness
Participated in on-line study/discussion groups
Participated in face-to-face study/discussion groups
Used additional material/sources beyond the prescribed study material
Memorized the study material
Drew up a study timetable
Worked through previous examination papers
Summarized the study material
Used the prescribed textbook (where applicable)
Read the study material
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
1.2%
1.2%
7.5%
8.1%
9.3%
10.9%
16.3%
22.3%
23.2%
Exam Study Methods
Yes No
-20%
0%
20%
40%
60%
41.3%
58.7%Needed More Academic Support
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
29.2%
70.8%
Tried to Contact Lecturer
Lecturer previously uninterested or unwilling to help
Did not know the lecturer
Lecturer previously unavailable
Did not think that it would be useful
Did not have the time to contact the lecturer
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
6.8%
9.1%
17.6%
30.7%
35.8%
Why Lecturer was not Contacted
Contacted the lecturer after hours
Contacted the lecturer in person (face-to-face)
Contacted the lecturer by letter
Received satisfactory support
Contacted the lecturer via myUnisa
Contacted the lecturer during the afternoon
Contacted the lecturer during the morning
Received unsatisfactory support
Contacted the lecturer via e-mail
Contacted the lecturer by telephone
The lecturer was not available
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%1.0%
1.0%
1.1%
4.9%
5.4%
6.2%
9.1%
10.2%
17.7%
18.2%
25.3%
Experience with Contacting Lecturer
Yes No Don't know0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
40.4%
21.4%
38.2%
Tutorial Classes Offered
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
17.0%
83.0%
Attended Tutorial Classes
Helpful Not Helpful0%
20%
40%
60%
80%70%
30%
Tutorial Class Ratings
No information about the times/venues
Did not think that attending classes would be helpful
No transport money
Far or inaccessible location of the venue
Tutorial class times were not convenient
No time to attend tutorial classes
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
1.8%
2.7%
7.8%
23.0%
25.7%
38.9%
Reasons for not Attending Tutorials
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
26.8%
73.2%
Needed Counselling Support
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
19.4%
80.6%
Contacted Unisa's Counselling Services
Didn't have the time Didn't think it would be useful
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
45.9%54.1%
Why Counselling Services not Contacted
Received satisfactory support
Contacted Unisa by telephone
Contacted Unisa during the afternoon
Contacted Unisa during the morning
Contacted Unisa after hours
Contacted Unisa via e-mail
Received unsatisfactory report
Tried to contact but didn't succeed
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%1.7%
4.2%
8.9%
9.3%
13.5%
16.0%
19.0%
27.4%
Experience with Counselling Services
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
28.2%
71.8%
Consulted Anyone Regarding Exam Decision
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
39.5%
60.5%
Received Advice Influenced Exam Decision
Religious leaderUnisa tutor
Unisa CounsellorPrivate psychologist/psychiatrist
Unisa LecturerOther students
Colleagues at workEmployer
Medical doctorFriendsFamily
0% 5% 10%15%20%25%30%35%1.1%1.5%2.1%2.8%
4.9%7.3%
9.6%10.9%
13.3%15.0%
31.6%
Person Consulted for Exam Advice
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
49.8% 50.2%
Had Enough Study Time
Yes No0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70% 64.7%
35.3%
Spent Sufficient Time Studying
Did not receive the study materials at all
Social life interfered with my studies
Did not receive the study materials in time
Did not have enough study leave
Domestic responsibilities interfered with my studies
Work responsibilities interfered with my studies
0% 5% 10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
.8%
3.9%
8.1%
17.5%
24.1%
45.5%
Reasons for Insufficient Study Time
Course did not cover the topics I thought it would cover
Course was not relevant to my future work/career
Not interested in the study material
Social life distracted me
Did not feel motivated to study
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
4.6%
8.0%
11.0%
24.8%
51.5%
Reasons for not Studying Enough
Wrong info about venueNo transport money
Was late (my own fault)Wrong exam timeWrong exam date
Was late (unreliable transport)
Was late(other reasons) My social life
IllnessDomestic responsibilities
Work responsibilities
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%.8%
1.1%
1.4%
1.6%
2.0%
2.4%
2.5%
4.3%
18.6%
21.2%
44.1%Other Factors: Exam Absence
Yes No0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%82.4%
17.6%
Strong Consequences for Exam Absence
Family would withdraw financial and other support
Lecturer would be disappointed
Employer would not provide another opportunity to write
Employer would withdraw financial and other support
Other financial support would be lost
Employer would be disappointed
Family would be disappointed
I would be disappointed in myself
The completion of my studies would be postponed
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
2.3%
2.9%
3.0%
5.3%
5.7%
7.4%
11.7%
28.3%
33.4%
Perceived Consequences of Exam Absence
Employer would continue to support me financially and otherwise
Employer would provide another oportunity for me to write
Family would continue to support me financially and otherwise
Employer would understand
Family would understand
Was not concerned as I could simply write again at the next Unisa examination
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
5.2%
6.1%
7.6%
10.3%
24.2%
46.6%
Why There Would Be No Strong Consequences
Better counselling support
Better access to counselling support
Better lecturer support
Better access to lecturer support
Better tutorial support
Better access to tutorial support
More general encouragement and support
Earlier distribution of study material
Better study material
Clearer information on exam requirements
Clearer information on exam times and venues
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%4.8%
6.7%
8.0%
8.7%
10.5%
8.8%
9.9%
14.5%
9.3%
15.5%
3.4%Unisa Exam Support