First-Generation University Students: Motivation and Academic Success

First-generation university students: motivation, academic success, and satisfaction with the university experience.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Problem

Research has been done on first generation students, but there has not been through research as to what motivates these students to excel in their studies. The first generation university students being defined as those whom neither parent had completed a college degree or any postsecondary education. The researchers definition of what first-generation students is narrow. The definition lockout research on students that may be had at least one parent graduating college or maybe a student whose parents attended college but failed to graduate. The problem statement, therefore, seems not be clearly visible to the reader as to is a first generation student.

Literature review

The authors cited many literature reviews that compared variables that affect first generation students. The statements used helped the readers to understand the reasoning of the research problem and why it necessary to motivate first generation students to complete their university studies. The only shortcomings of the literature review are that it was too wordy. It would be best if the researchers wrote down the literature review with sub-topics. The sub-topics would help to state clearly what the researchers are talking.

Hypothesis

First-generation students are more likely than the continuing-generation students to have stronger desire to graduate as soon as possible. The purpose was clearly stated and agreed with the title.

Research design

The researchers utilized exploratory research to facilitate the development of the survey instrument. A focus group that was conducted ensured that the questionnaires were well answered so as to capture the objective of the research clearly. The data collected in the survey investigated two independent groups, which are: the first generation vs. continuing generation. The strategies used to accumulate the information for this article were plainly clarified. The instruments and improvement were clarified, and the dependability coefficients of every single conceivable test were given. The populace utilized was sufficient. No examination of the factual methods was given in this specific area.

Summary

The results found from this research corroborate with the findings from previous researches that had been done. It is concluded therefore that the first generation students are found to take the most severe approach to their college education as compared to their continuing-generation counterparts.

Conclusions

Conclusions and implications were formulated with the knowledge that the subjects for this study were first generation university students. The conclusions were based on findings and were logically stated.

Overall critique

This was a very in-depth research project on first generation students. The paper was well organized and written. The only part that needed changes is the literature review. The literature review required to be short and unto the point unlike with this article whereby it was long and with no subtopics. The article also got complicated in the reporting of data due to the statistical procedure that was used in the research.

Checklist to use to critique future articles

Is the background information on the problem presented?

In the educational significance of the problem discussed?

Does the researcher have skills and required expertise to carry out the proposed research?

Are all the references cited and whether they are relevant to the research.