Open AccessMultidimensional research on university engagement using a mixed method approach
Author(s) -
Helena Benito Mundet,
Esther Llop,
Marta Verdaguer,
Joaquím Comas,
Ariadna Lleonart Sitjar,
Marta Orts Alís,
Anna Amadó Codony,
Carles Rostan-Sánchez
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
educación xx1
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.751
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 2174-5374
pISSN - 1139-613X
DOI - 10.5944/educxx1.28561
Subject(s) - construct (python library) , set (abstract data type) , psychology , cognition , perception , confirmatory factor analysis , applied psychology , mathematics education , social psychology , computer science , structural equation modeling , neuroscience , machine learning , programming language
The commitment or academic implication (engagement) of universitystudents has become a fundamental element for their welfare and academicperformance and, furthermore, it is also related to their professional futureand social commitment. For this reason, the definition of the concept and theprovision of assessment strategies and tools are essential to know the learningexperiences that lead to enhancing the academic involvement of the students.To develop our research, we have used a mixed quantitative and qualitativemethodology: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis on the one hand,and discussion groups using the nominal groups technique on the other hand.We have set three different objectives: first, to delve into the multidimensionalmodel of the construct; second, to validate a questionnaire that allows forevaluation of the students’ perception of the learning methodologies used inthe classroom; and third, to check the manageability of the nominal groupsas a qualitative method of analysis. The results demonstrate that our newproposal provides a statistically valid instrument aimed at determining theperceptions of own engagement and an effective, efficient and motivatingqualitative method for students. However, regarding the multidimensionalityof the construct, contrary to the more accepted theoretical point of view thatconsiders three dimensions of engagement (behaviour, cognition and emotion),our results only reveal two dimensions (cognitive-emotional and behavioural).In the discussion and comments section we give possible explanations for thiscontradiction.