WWC review of this study

Efficacy of advising outreach on student retention, academic progress and achievement, and frequency of advising contacts: A longitudinal randomized trial

Schwebel, D. C., Walburn, N. C., Klyce, K., & Jerrolds, K. L. (2012). NACADA Journal, 32(2), 36-43.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    501
     Students
    , grade
    PS

Reviewed: May 2021

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Academic achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Cumulative GPA

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

2.53

2.53

No

--

Cumulative GPA

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

2.53

2.53

No

--
Postsecondary degree attainment outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Graduation in four years

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

28.00

28.00

No

--
Progressing in College outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

College credits earned

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

79.33

78.71

No

--

College credits earned

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

79.33

78.71

No

--

Enrolled/graduated after 4 years

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

60.00

55.00

No

--

Enrolled/graduated after 4 years

Advising outreach vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
501 students

60.00

55.00

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 64%
    Male: 35%

  • Urban
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
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    • b
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    Alabama
  • Race
    Asian
    4%
    Black
    28%
    Other or unknown
    6%
    White
    62%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    6%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    94%

Setting

This study was conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), which is a large, urban, public 4-year university.

Study sample

The study sought to include a representative sample of first-year non-transfer students. Students were not targeted based on risk. The study included 64% women with an average age of 19 years old. Students were 62% White, 32% Black, and 4% Asian, and 6% of students were Hispanic. Over 90% were from the state of Alabama and 75% received financial aid.

Intervention Group

Students were strongly encouraged but not required to schedule and attend advising sessions over a 4-year period of enrollment. The intervention group of students received additional advising outreach each semester of enrollment: (1) During Week 3 of a 15-week semester, students received an e-mail inviting them to make an advising appointment if they had not done so yet; (2) During Week 4 of a 15-week semester, students received a phone call from administrative staff if they had not scheduled an advising appointment yet; and (3) During Week 5 of a 15-week semester, students received a phone call from their professional advisor if they had not scheduled an advising appointment yet.

Comparison Group

Students enrolled in the no-outreach comparison group did not receive additional outreach via email or phone encouraging them to make advising appointments had they not done so yet. Rather, the no-outreach group was exposed to university and Department-led initiatives that promoted and encouraged participation in advising appointments.

Support for implementation

There is no indication that implementation support was provided.

 

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