Skip to main content

It’s All About Motivation?—A Case Study Concerning Dropout and Persistence in University Mathematics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Views and Beliefs in Mathematics Education

Abstract

University dropout rates in mathematics are still high. In this explorative study semi-structured interviews with students, reporting their personal experiences during their first months of their studies of mathematics and their reasons for quitting or continuing their studies, were analyzed. Especially motivational aspects (e.g., motives to choose mathematics, learning motivation) and their connection with beliefs concerning the nature of mathematics seem to have an important impact on dropout and persistence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrà, C., Magnano, G. & Morselli, F. (2011). Drop-out undergraduate students in mathematics: an exploratory study. In B. Roesken & M. Casper (Eds.), Current state of research on mathematical beliefs XVII. Proceedings of the MAVI-17 conference september 17–20, 2011, Bochum, Germany (pp. 13–22).

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, N. W. & Ramist, L. (2001). Predicting success in college: SAT studies of classes graduating since 1980. The College Board research report, 2001–2002. New York: College Entrance Examination Board.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X. (2013). STEM attrition: College students’ paths into and out of STEM fields. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dieter, M., & Törner, G. (2012). Vier von fünf geben auf. Forschung und Lehre, 19(10), 826–827.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernest, P. (1991). The philosophy of mathematics education. Hampshire: The Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heublein, U., Hutzsch, C., Schreiber, J., Sommer, D., & Besuch, G. (2009). Ursachen des Studienabbruchs in Bachelor- und in herkömmlichen Studiengängen HIS: Projektbericht, Dezember 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luszczynska, A., Gutié Rrez-Doñ, B., & Schwarzer, R. (2005). General self-efficacy in various domains of human functioning: Evidence from five countries. International Journal of Psychology, 40(2), 80–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayring, P. (2010). Qualitative inhaltsanalyse. Basel: Beltz.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rach, S. (2014). Individuelle Lernprozesse im Mathematikstudium. Kiel: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiefele, U., Streblow, L., & Brinkmann, J. (2007). Aussteigen oder Durchhalten. Was unterscheidet Studienabbrecher von anderen Studierenden? Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie, 39(3), 127–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulriksen, L., Madsen, L. M., & Holmegaard, H. T. (2010). What do we know about explanations for drop out/opt out among young people from STEM higher education programmes? Studies in Science Education, 46(2), 209–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward-Penny, R., Johnston-Wilder, S., & Lee, C. (2011). Exit interviews: Undergraduates who leave mathematics behind. For the Learning of Mathematics, 31(2), 21–26.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sebastian Geisler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Geisler, S. (2018). It’s All About Motivation?—A Case Study Concerning Dropout and Persistence in University Mathematics. In: Rott, B., Törner, G., Peters-Dasdemir, J., Möller, A., Safrudiannur (eds) Views and Beliefs in Mathematics Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01273-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01273-1_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01272-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01273-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics