Using Student Drawings to Understand the First-Year Experience. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Everett, Michele C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of college student retention. Volume 21:Number 2(2019:Aug.)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: visual research methods -- student drawings -- first-year experience -- retention; College dropouts -- Periodicals; College dropouts -- Prevention -- Periodicals; College attendance -- Periodicals; 378.16913
• DOI: 10.1177/1521025117696824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1521-0251

Abstract

This article reports on an exploratory study that investigated the use of student drawings as a visual research method to understand the first-year experience. A total of 31 undeclared students enrolled in a first-year seminar participated in the study. Data generated from pre- and postdrawings of students' first semester paths were analyzed to identify emergent themes and understand experience at the group and individual levels. Findings provide novel insights about the first-year experience from the student's perspective. These new understandings have important implications that may help institutions shape and strengthen retention efforts at the student, classroom, and program levels.