Focus Group Pilot Study
Prior to the start of the Panel Study of the Class of 2010, we conducted student focus groups over the fall of 2005 and spring of 2006. The focus groups consisted of 40 members of the Class of 2009, divided into four groups of ten students each. Over the course of three rounds of focus groups, we vetted questions for the first year of panel study interviews and gained a sense of the range of student experiences in their first year.
We also conducted a second year of focus groups with the same sample of students of the Class of 2009 when they were in their sophomore year (over the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007). Similar to the first year of focus groups, this second year of focus groups allowed us to vet questions for the second year of panel study interviews.
First Year Interviews (Rounds 1, 2, and 3)
The interview schedules for the first year of the Class of 2010 panel study addressed a number of issues surrounding the transition from high school to college and students' academic and residential experiences. Click here for a PDF of the first, second, and third rounds of interview questions.
Before the panel study began, we compiled an annotated bibliography of articles about the first year experience, particularly for students of color. Click here for a PDF of the annotated bibliography.
Sophomore Year Interviews (Rounds 4 and 5)
Interviews in the sophomore year focused on the students' choices of a major field of study and their plans to study away in their junior year. Click here for a PDF of the fourth and fifth rounds of interview questions.
Junior Year Interviews (Rounds 6 and 7)
During the 2008-2009 academic year the panel study interviews focused on comparing the experiences of those who studied away in their junior year with those who did not. We were also very interested in talking to students in the panel about the integration of their off campus learning experiences with their learning while on campus. Those students participating in international study programs were interviewed while they were away.
Click here for a PDF of the sixth round of interview questions; there are two interview schedules in this document, one for the students who studied away and the other for students who were in residence.
Click here for a PDF of the seventh round of interview questions; there are four interview schedules in this document, one for students who were in residence all year, another for students who were in residence for the spring semester, a third for students who studied away in the spring semester, and the last for students who studied away the spring semester.
There were also three modified round seven interview schedules: one for students who were not interviewed in round six while they were in residence (click here for a PDF of these questions), another for students who were not interviewed in round six while they were studying away (click here for a PDF of these questions), and a third for students who graduated early (at the end of their junior year).
Senior Year Interviews (Rounds 8 and 9)
Interviews in the senior year compare the experiences of those who participate in capstone experiences with those who do not, and those who plan to attend graduate or professional schools immediately following graduation with those who do not.
Click here for a PDF of the eighth round of interview questions.
Post-Graduate Interviews (Round 10)
In the last year of the panel study (2010-2011) we will conduct one interview with the panel participants, the large majority of whom will have graduated. Although many of the colleges in the consortium now conduct senior "exit interviews," none seek out their students soon after graduation to ask them to reflect on their college experience as a whole. We believe that the opportunity to encourage recent graduates to talk about how their liberal arts educations has prepared them for their current roles as employees, volunteers or students will tell us a good deal about our effectiveness in preparing them to become life long learners, citizens and leaders.
Quantitative Study Instruments
Sophomore Survey
In the fall of 2007 the sophomore survey was administered to all students at consortium schools in addition to the Class of 2010 panel study subset of students. The survey covers (among other topics) academic advising, decision of major, course selection, coursework, residential life, and extracurricular activities. In the fall of 2008, we administered the sophomore survey again to the Class of 2011. Click here for a PDF of the sophomore survey.
Junior Surveys
In the spring of 2009 we administered three surveys to different groups of juniors at each of the consortium schools: one for students on campus (called the Junior Survey), another for students studying off campus (Study Away Survey), and a third for students who had returned from studying away in the fall of 2008 (Retrospective Study Away Survey). The Retrospective Study Away Survey will also be administered through the summer and fall of 2009 to capture the experience of students who have returned from studying away in the spring of 2009 or for all of the 2008-2009 academic year.
If you use any of these study instruments, we would appreciate if you let us know through our Contact Us page.