Research Library - National Student Clearinghouse Research Services
Learn from other researchers
Institutional researchers from around the country regularly incorporate StudentTracker into their educational research. You’ll find several of those studies here. If you have used StudentTracker in a research study and would like to share it on our site with your colleagues, please send your study(s) via our Contact form.
How to Manage NSC Data
Studies of High School Students:
Consortium of Chicago School Research: Setting up a Postsecondary Tracking System (ppt)
Sparks, K. & Nagaoka, J. (n.d.) Setting up a postsecondary tracking system.
Instructional presentation from the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago on how to set up a system for tracking postsecondary enrollment, retention and graduation and employment using National Student Clearinghouse data.
Research Topics: enrollment, retention, graduation, employment (not NSC data)
Methods: disaggregate the data by student variables and report the results
Two Year Institutions:
Guerin, K. (2008) Understanding the Transfer Swirl with Clearinghouse Data and SAS Programming: How to Find What You Might Not Expect. Presented at the North East Association for Institutional Research Annual Conference. Providence, Rhode Island.
A detailed description on how to use SAS to analyze NSC data.
Research Topics: transfer, concurrent enrollment, graduation
Methods: report the results
Use of NSC Results with Discussion of the Clearinghouse and its Data
Four Year Institutions:
Archer, S., Fu, H., & Reiss, E. (2009, May). Developing a reporting system for the delivery of operational and strategic information using the National Student Clearinghouse StudentTracker data system. Paper presented at the Annual Forum of the Association for Institutional Research, Atlanta, GA.
University of Central Florida uses StudentTracker to create operational and strategic reports with the aid of SAS and Excel PivotTables.
Research Topics: admissions, retention, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables and report the results
Archer, S. & Fu, H. (2008, May). Exploring potential research using National Student Clearinghouse StudentTracker. Paper presented at the Annual Forum of the Association for Institutional Research, Seattle, WA.
University of Central Florida uses StudentTracker to research the enrollment of prospective, current, and former students.
Research Topics: admissions, retention, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables and report the results
UC-Davis: Educational Enrichment Program Effectiveness for SEMCS (California) (pdf) (paper)
UC-Davis: Educational Enrichment Program Effectiveness for SEMCS (California) (pdf) (presentation)
Chatman, S. (2005). How effective are undergraduate educational enrichment experiences designed to increase SEMCS study and graduate and professional participation by women and underrepresented minority students? Presented at the 2005 Annual Forums of the Association for Institutional Research. San Diego.
Study on the effect of enrichment programs on graduation and the rate of enrollment in graduate or professional school.
Research Topics: graduation, post-baccalaureate enrollment
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, report the results, and evaluate data collection methods
UMCP: Transfer-Out Behavior in Retention Models (Maryland) (pdf)
Porter, S. R. (1999). Including transfer-out behavior in retention models: Using the NSLC enrollment search data. Presented at the 1999 North East Association of Institutional Research conference. Newport, Rhode Island.
Analysis of one-year retention at UMCP. The purpose was to determine which students transferred, when and to where and which students stopped attending school.
Research Topics: retention
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, report the results, and build a model for prediction of student behavior
Mt. Hood Community College: Transfer Activity Report (Oregon) (pdf)
Walleri, R. D. (2002). Transfer activity report. Retrieved from: http://www.mhcc.edu/pages/509.asp
Comprehensive overview of subsequent transfer activity by MHCC students regarding which schools they enrolled in, programs they entered, and their academic performance.
Research Topics: transfer
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, and report the results
Cal State Long Beach: The "Impact" of Impaction (California) (pdf)
**NSC summary** attached to front
Novack, V. A. (2005). Using National Student Clearinghouse data at California State University, Long Beach. Presented at the 45th Annual AIR Forum. San Diego, California.
Case study on how Cal State Long Beach determined the effect of impaction and subsequent enrollment of post-impaction freshman cohorts at other institutions.
Research Topics: enrollment, graduation
Methods: report the results
UC-Davis: Non-Enrolling Admits (California) (pdf)
Butler, G. (2005). Nonenrolling admits: Data from National Student Clearinghouse Presented at the 45th Annual AIR Forum. San Diego, California.
Data charts regarding the percentage of non-enrolled admitted students that were identified as enrolled in another institution and the institutions where they enrolled.
Research Topics: enrollment
Methods: disaggregate the data by student variables and report the results
Two Year Institutions:
California Community Colleges: Transfer Tracking (California) (pdf)
**Includes NSC presentation**
Perry, P. (n.d.) NSC data use: California Community Colleges.
Instructional presentation on how to use StudentTracker data to track transfer behavior at California community colleges.
Research Topics: transfer
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, and report the results
SUNY Community Colleges: Tracking Transfers (New York) (pdf)
Romano, R. M., & Wisniewski, M. (2005). Tracking community college transfers using National Student Clearinghouse data. Air Professional File, 94 (Winter), 1-12.
Winter 2005 AIR article on how to more accurately assess transfer rates at SUNY Community Colleges by including out-of-state and private colleges.
Research Topics: transfer, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, report the results, and evaluate data collection methods
Studies of High School Students:
Nebraska CCPE: 2007 Higher Education Progress Report (pdf)
Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. (2007). 2007 Nebraska higher education progress report.
Report from the Nebraska CCPE on how it monitored and evaluated the state's progress in increasing postsecondary enrollment and decreasing out-of-state migration of Nebraskans with high levels of educational attainment.
Research Topics: enrollment, retention, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variable, supplement the data, and report the results
Other Reports Using NSC Results as a Data Source
Four Year Institutions:
University of Maryland: Students’ perceptions matter: Early signs of undergraduate student retention/attrition (Maryland) (pdf) (paper)
University of Maryland: Students’ perceptions matter: Early signs of undergraduate student retention/attrition (Maryland) (pdf) (presentation)
Campbell, C. M. & Mislevy, J. (2009). Students’ perceptions matter: Early signs of undergraduate student retention/attrition. Paper presented at the NEAIR Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
University of Maryland informs about the various predictors of retention, investigates four separate enrollment patterns using multinomial logistic regression, and seeks to connect student perceptions with these patterns. Received NEAIR 2009 best paper award.
Research Topics: retention, enrollment patterns
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, report the results, and build a model for prediction of student behavior
University of MN: Redefining Student Success (Minnesota) (pdf)
Jones-White, D. R., Radcliffe, P. M., Huesman, R. L., & Kellogg, J. P. (2008). Redefining student success: assessing different multinomial regression techniques for the study of student retention and graduation across institutions of higher education. Presented at the 2008 Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Annual Forum. Seattle, WA.
Presentation from the University of Minnesota on how it performed multinomial regression techniques to assess multi-institutional student success.
Research Topics: graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, report the results, and build a model for prediction of student behavior
University of Nevada-Reno: Student Return Vs. Dropout/Stopout Vs. Transfer (Nevada) (pdf)
Herzog, S. (2005). Measuring determinants of student return vs. dropout/stopout vs. transfer: A first-to-second year analysis of new freshmen. Research in Higher Education, 46 (8), 883-928. doi: 10.1007/s11162-005-6933-7.
A study measuring the impact of high school preparation, first-year academic performance, multi-institution enrollment, and financial aid support on second year persistence.
Research Topics: retention
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, report the results, and build a model for prediction of student behavior
BYU: Closing the Student Information Gap (Utah) (pdf)
**NSC summary**
Case study on how Brigham Young University gathered enrollment and graduation data for entering freshman, students who were admitted but did not enroll, and visiting students.
Research Topics: enrollment, transfer
Methods: report the results
Two Year Institutions:
PGCC: Beyond Transfer Rate - Varieties of Transfer Behavior and Academic Outcomes (Maryland) (pdf)
Boughan, K. (n.d.) Beyond transfer rate: varieties of transfer behavior and academic outcomes.
Report from Prince George’s Community College on how it calculated a more accurate transfer rate for state and federal accountability reporting.
Research Topics: transfer, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, supplement the data, and report the results
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. (2008). Virginia community colleges’ contributions to 2007-08 Virginia bachelor’s degree recipients: A retrospective look. Student Success Snapshot, 4 (October).
In order to determine what role the VCCS played in a bachelor’s degree attainment, the VCCS took a retrospective look at bachelor’s degree recipients in Virginia.
Research Topics: graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables and report the results
Studies of High School Students:
Results of Student Tracker Study from the National Student Clearinghouse 2009 Data Summary (doc) (paper)
BCPS College Attendance and Maryland Scholars Data Summary (ppt) (presentation)
Rhoades, T., Hawley, T. H., Adams, R. A., Brager, G. L., Murray, S., & Elliott, E. (2009). Results of Student Tracker Study from the National Student Clearinghouse 2009 Data Summary.
Baltimore County Public Schools tracks post secondary achievement of their students, including rates of college attendance rates, retention, and degree completion.
Research Topics: enrollment, retention, graduation
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables, and report the results
Student Choice of College: How Far Do Students Go For An Education? (web link)
Mattern, K. & Wyatt, J. N. (2009). Student choice of college: How far do students go for an education? Journal of College Admission, 203 (Spring), 18-29.
Research Topics: enrollment
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables and report the results
Other Studies:
Hoyt, J. E., & Brown, A. B. (2003). Identifying college choice factors to successfully market your institution. C & U Journal, Spring, 3-10.
A study on how Utah Valley State College identified factors for students selecting a college.
Research Topics: enrollment
Methods: supplement the data and report the results
When the Saints Come Marching In: Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Student Evacuees (pdf)
Sacerdote, B. (2008). When the saints come marching in: Effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on student evacuees.
Paper examining academic performance and college going for public school students affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Research Topics: enrollment (within a much larger study)
Methods: disaggregate data by student variables and report the results.