Dissertation
A phenomenological study of the persistence of unsuccessful students in developmental mathematics at a community college
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Aug 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4271
Abstract
There are a large number of students entering college underprepared for college-level mathematics (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching , 2011). While this problem is not new, it has become the focus of national attention because of the impact it has on college completion and workforce development. There is much written in the literature about developmental mathematics; however, there is little research about the experiences of students who find themselves placed into developmental mathematics courses upon entrance into college (Howard & Whitaker, 2011). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and articulate the experiences of students at a community college in the Northeast who were unsuccessful in a developmental mathematics course but took the class in a subsequent semester. The research question the study sought to answer is: What characterizes the experiences and perceptions of students who are unsuccessful in a developmental mathematics course and return to repeat it?Data was collected using the following methods: conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews utilizing open-ended questions, classroom observations, and reviewing artifacts such as placement test scores; class attendance records; and class quizzes, tests, and graded assignments. This provided multiple data points allowing for triangulation of the data to ensure the reliability and validity. Member checking was also employed for this purpose. The researcher used bracketing to eliminate any preconceptions and biases during data collection and analysis. Convenience sampling was used to select participants in the study. Students retaking a developmental mathematics course because they earned below a C in a prior attempt comprised the sample.
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Details
- Title
- A phenomenological study of the persistence of unsuccessful students in developmental mathematics at a community college
- Creators
- Barbara Canfield - DU
- Contributors
- John M. Gould (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4271; 991014632164104721