Persistence and the Adult Learner

Abstract

This research is part of a larger study of the factors affecting part-time adult learners. It covers a literature review dealing with three areas of factors that might affect adult learners: (i) social and environmental, (ii) traumatic and (iii) intrinsic factors. This produced 36 factors and was followed by a qualitative study to validate and refine the factors. This part of the research was undertaken with students from the Open University of the UK. The research resulted in the construction of a model of persistence containing 12 factors. The model was subjected to quantitative testing by questionnaire, and preliminary analysis showed that most of the factors were valid indicators of persistence. The model needs to be further refined in order to be predictive, but still indicates that institutions can help to overcome at least some of the problems preventing persistence.