Examining the Relationship Between College Advising and Student Outputs: A Content Analysis of the NACADA Journal

In an effort to promote the advancement of the advising profession, this study examines trends related to current knowledge of academic advising and the relationships between various forms of postsecondary advising practices and student outputs. Using content analysis techniques, we analyzed research articles published in NACADA Journal between 2004 and 2018 to identify trends in the ways academic advising has been studied. Major findings include the small number of studies (n = 18) over a 15-year period that relate advising to outputs and the lack of research focusing on underrepresented student populations despite the continued significant growth of these diverse groups. Recommendations highlight characteristics of academic advising that may benefit from further scholarly inquiry.