Abstract
This study demonstrates how a qualitative content analysis method may be used to help understand undergraduate students’ experience. We examine and rationalize the methodological concerns regarding content analysis of open-ended comments in the qualitative study. We describe a data analysis technique, using qualitative responses from National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) as an example, and highlight the findings in a thematic way to convey how undergraduate students perceive issues that challenge them to develop skills, awareness, and confidence, as well as the potential factors that influence student engagement and future success. Finally, we provide potentials of how these findings can be utilized to improve student experience, limitations of this study as well as suggestions for future research.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bogdan R., Biklen S.: Qualitative research for education. Allyn and Bacon, Bonton (1982)
Cresswell J.W.: Qualitative inquiry and research design choosing among five traditions. Sage, London (1998)
Denzin N.K., Lincoln Y.S.: Handbook of qualitative research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks (1994)
Holsti O.R.: Content analysis for the social sciences and humanities. Addison-Wesley, Reading (1969)
Kuh, G.D.: Assessing what really matters to student learning. Change, 33(3), 10–17, 66 (2001)
Kuh G.D.: What we’re learning about student engagement from NSSE. Change 35(2), 24–32 (2003)
Kuh G.D., Hall J.: Cultural perspectives I student affairs. In: Kuh, G.D. (eds) Cultural perspectives in student affairs work, University Press of America and American College Personnel Association, Lanham (1993)
Kuh, G.D., Kinzie, J.I., Schuh, J.H., Whitt, E.J., Associates.: Student success in college: Creating conditions that matter. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco (2005)
Krippendorff K.: Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage, Newbury Park (1980)
McCaston, M.K.: Tips for collecting, reviewing, and analyzing secondary data. Partnership and household livelihood security unit(PHLS). http://www.livelihoods.org/info/pcdl/docs/work/SL%20Nepal/Reference%20Sheets/Tips%20for%20Using%20Secondary%20Data.doc (1998). Accessed 15 May 2008
McColl E., Jacoby A., Thomas L., Soutter J., Bamford C., Steen N., Thomas R., Harvey E., Garratt A., Bond J.: Design and use of questionnaires: a review of best practice applicable to surveys of health service staff and patients. Health Technol. Assess. 5(31), 1–256 (2001)
Moser C.A., Kalton G.: Survey methods in social investigation. Dartmouth Publishing Company, England (1971)
Novak, T.P.: Secondary data analysis lecture notes. Marketing Research, Vanderbilt University.http://:www2000.ogsm.vanderbilt.edu/marketing.research (1996). Accessed 15 May 2008
O’Cathain, A., Thomas, K.J.: “Any other comments?” Open questions on questionnaires – a bane or a bonus to research? http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2288-4-25.pdf (2004). Accessed May 15 2008
Pascarella E.T., Terenzini P.T.: How college affects students: A third decade of research. vol. 2, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco (2005)
Patton, M.Q.: Qualitative evaluation and research methods. 2nd edn. Sage, Newbury Park, CA (1990)
Stake R.E.: The art of case study research. Sage, Thousand Oaks (1995)
Strauss A., Corbin J.: Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Sage Publications, New bury Park (1990)
Tinto V.: Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. University of Chicago Press, Chicago (1987)
U.S. Government Accountability Office.: Content analysis: A methodology for structuring and analyzing written material. GAO/PEMD-10.3.1. Washington, DC (1996)
Weber, R.P.: Basic content analysis. 2nd edn. Newbury Park, CA (1990)
Weidman J.C.: Undergraduate socialization: A conceptual approach. In: Smart, J.C. (eds) Higher education: Handbook of theory and researchm. vol. 5, Agathon, New York (1989)
Zipf G.K.: Human Behavior and the Principle of Least-Effort. Addison-Wesley, Cambridge (1949)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chambers, T., Chiang, CH. Understanding undergraduate students’ experience: a content analysis using NSSE open-ended comments as an example. Qual Quant 46, 1113–1123 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9549-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9549-3