measures, the study's validity with respect to the data is limited.
The general research approach is descriptive in nature. Best (1981) has presented five characteristics which distinguish descriptive research from other types of research. These characteristics may be delineated as follows:
1. Descriptive research deals with relationships between nonmanipulated variables in a natural, rather than artificial setting. Since the events or conditions have already occurred or exist, the researcher selects the relevant variables for an analysis of their relationships.
2. Descriptive research involves hypothesis formulation and testing.
3. Descriptive research uses the logical methods of inductive-deductive reasoning to arrive at generalizations.
4. Descriptive research employs methods of randomization so that error may be estimated when inferring population characteristics from observations of samples.
5. The variables and procedures are described as accurately and completely as possible so that the study can be replicated by other researchers.
The research design was causal comparative sometimes referred to as ex post facto because the methodology does not include the manipulation of independent factors but rather measures existing conditions or observances after the occurrence of the target event. The design involved the examination of attrition data which, to expedite understanding, can be characterized as the study's dependent variables. These dependent variables consisted of:
(1) the attrition rates of newly entering freshmen;
(2) the attrition rates of students overall;
(3) estimates of the degree to which drop-out is due to personal problems;
(4) estimates of the degree to which drop-out is due to social/peer problems;
(5) estimates of the degree to which drop-out is due to failure of the college environment to make students feel part of campus life;
(6) estimates of the degree to whic...