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Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning

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Title: Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning
Language: English
Authors: Kokila Ranasinghe, T. Lakshini D. Fernando, Nimali Vineeshiya, Aras Bozkurt
Source: International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning. 2025 26(2):162-183.
Availability: Athabasca University Press. 1200, 10011-109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-497-3412; Fax: 780-421-3298; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Dropout Rate, Open Universities, Distance Education, College Faculty, College Students, Student Characteristics, Student Employment, Student Responsibility, Time Management, Foreign Countries, Potential Dropouts, At Risk Students
Geographic Terms: Sri Lanka
ISSN: 1492-3831
Abstract: This study examined the reasons for high dropout numbers in programs offered through open and distance education (ODE). A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from a purposive sample of instructors and students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. A total of 38 reasons were revealed, of which aligned with existing dropout models as well as a few country- and institute-specific reasons. Results indicated that internal and external reasons mainly influenced students to drop out; student characteristics and skills also contributed to the students' decision. The most influential reasons were job and family commitment, workload, time management, and flexibility, indicating that employed students were the more severely affected fraction of the dropout population. The researchers attempted to create a holistic picture of the dropout phenomenon in ODE, providing a foundation for policymakers and educators to implement targeted interventions and individualized support mechanisms to foster student retention.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1477325
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kokila+Ranasinghe%22">Kokila Ranasinghe</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22T%2E+Lakshini+D%2E+Fernando%22">T. Lakshini D. Fernando</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nimali+Vineeshiya%22">Nimali Vineeshiya</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aras+Bozkurt%22">Aras Bozkurt</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Review+of+Research+in+Open+and+Distributed+Learning%22"><i>International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning</i></searchLink>. 2025 26(2):162-183.
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  Data: Athabasca University Press. 1200, 10011-109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-497-3412; Fax: 780-421-3298; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dropout+Rate%22">Dropout Rate</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Universities%22">Open Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Employment%22">Student Employment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Responsibility%22">Student Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time+Management%22">Time Management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Potential+Dropouts%22">Potential Dropouts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22At+Risk+Students%22">At Risk Students</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sri+Lanka%22">Sri Lanka</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 1492-3831
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examined the reasons for high dropout numbers in programs offered through open and distance education (ODE). A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from a purposive sample of instructors and students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. A total of 38 reasons were revealed, of which aligned with existing dropout models as well as a few country- and institute-specific reasons. Results indicated that internal and external reasons mainly influenced students to drop out; student characteristics and skills also contributed to the students' decision. The most influential reasons were job and family commitment, workload, time management, and flexibility, indicating that employed students were the more severely affected fraction of the dropout population. The researchers attempted to create a holistic picture of the dropout phenomenon in ODE, providing a foundation for policymakers and educators to implement targeted interventions and individualized support mechanisms to foster student retention.
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  Data: 2025
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  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 162
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Dropout Rate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Distance Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Employment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Responsibility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Time Management
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Potential Dropouts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: At Risk Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sri Lanka
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Kokila Ranasinghe
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            NameFull: T. Lakshini D. Fernando
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            NameFull: Nimali Vineeshiya
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            NameFull: Aras Bozkurt
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
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              Y: 2025
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              Value: 1492-3831
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            – TitleFull: International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning
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