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Selection blas and the analysis of persistence of part-time undergraduate students

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Abstract

Most studies of persistence behavior use path analysis or ordinary least squares regression to estimate unknown coefficients. However, estimates produced by these techniques are biased if selectivity bias contaminates choices made by individuals in the data sample. We explain this problem, argue that it is present in data samples used in persistence studies, and discuss an alternative estimation technique that controls for it. The methodology and the differences in the interpretation of coefficient estimates are illustrated with a data sample of individual students at a single university.

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Weiler, W.C., Pierro, D.J. Selection blas and the analysis of persistence of part-time undergraduate students. Res High Educ 29, 261–272 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992926

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