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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | A statistical analysis of data from University of Zimbabwe educational system using a Markov chain model |
Authors: | Saporu, F.W.O. Chinamo, W.P.T. |
Year: | 2000 |
Periodical: | Discovery and Innovation (ISSN 1015-079X) |
Volume: | 12 |
Issue: | 1-2 |
Period: | June |
Pages: | 21-25 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs. |
Geographic terms: | Zimbabwe Southern Africa |
Subjects: | academic achievement universities science and technology Mathematical models Statistical analysis science education students Markov processes University of Zimbabwe |
External link: | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/dai/article/view/15560 |
Abstract: | An educational advancement model based on a Markov chain is proposed for the University of Zimbabwe educational system. Indices characterizing the undergraduate degree programme of the Faculty of Science are computed, based on data from 1988, 1989 and 1990. For example, the probabilities of graduation after spending three, four, five and six years in the degree programme, and the expected duration of completion, are estimated. The values of the educational indices computed indicate that 70 percent of fresh student intake into the programme will eventually graduate. The chance that a student will graduate after spending three years in the programme is 45 percent. The low graduation rate after three years and a high eventual withdrawal rate (30 percent) together suggest the need for some form of intervention. The results identify the part one stage of the system as one of the weak points that needs to be improved if a higher graduation rate is to be achieved. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. |