Student Social Networks and Dropout Propensity

Abstract

College and university dropout is of interest to both educators and educational researchers, due to its impact on individual students and on educational systems. Dropout has been traced to both academic and social factors, including social inclusion and sense of belonging in the academic setting. This paper examines the relationship between the social network of university students, their academic results in terms of grades, and their propensity to drop out of school.

The empirical study presented here examines how certain aspects of social networks, including how many fellow students an individual has relationships with (in particular relationships that support a student’s academic work, as well as social relationships). The goal is to understand whether the structure of student social networks is a factor in determining student dropout rates. The paper presents results from a quantitative analysis based on data gathered both through surveys and from university registry information. Social network data was collected systematically from students in a first year required course at the University of Iceland Faculty of Business Administration, using an online web application designed for this purpose; this is the first time social network data on students has been gathered using this method in Iceland.