View in EDS

Classroom Connections: A Social Network Analysis of STEM Students at a Regional University

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Classroom Connections: A Social Network Analysis of STEM Students at a Regional University
Language: English
Authors: Laura R. Ramsey (ORCID 0000-0001-5713-4526), Wanchunzi Yu, Thomas Kling, Audrey Kling
Source: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. 2026 27(4):933-955.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Contract Number: 2020765
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: STEM Education, Social Networks, Regional Schools, Majors (Students), College Science, College Mathematics, Peer Relationship, Course Selection (Students), Student Characteristics, Race, Sex, First Generation College Students, Commuting Students, Academic Achievement, Grade Point Average, Graduation Rate, State Universities
Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
DOI: 10.1177/15210251231215787
ISSN: 1521-0251
1541-4167
Abstract: Previous research has established that peer relationships are important for student success, yet little research has examined connections made in the classroom, as opposed to residence life or extracurricular activities. This project utilized social network analysis in two cohorts of science and mathematics majors to investigate the degree to which students take multiple courses with the same peers. Results showed (1) wide variability in student networks, (2) course selection by students included more repeated connections than random course selection, (3) networks did not vary much by demographic variables (gender, race, first-generation status, and income), and (4) student networks significantly predicted graduation and grades. This correlational research provides a foundation for future experimental research testing the causal impact of classroom-based student networks. This research also serves as a model for how other institutions may analyze institutional data to understand patterns of peer connections and course enrollment at their institution.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494402
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1494402
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Classroom Connections: A Social Network Analysis of STEM Students at a Regional University
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laura+R%2E+Ramsey%22">Laura R. Ramsey</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5713-4526">0000-0001-5713-4526</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wanchunzi+Yu%22">Wanchunzi Yu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomas+Kling%22">Thomas Kling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Audrey+Kling%22">Audrey Kling</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+College+Student+Retention%3A+Research%2C+Theory+%26+Practice%22"><i>Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(4):933-955.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 23
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: SourceSuprt
  Label: Sponsoring Agency
  Group: SrcSuprt
  Data: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
– Name: NumberContract
  Label: Contract Number
  Group: NumCntrct
  Data: 2020765
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Networks%22">Social Networks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Regional+Schools%22">Regional Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Majors+%28Students%29%22">Majors (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Science%22">College Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Mathematics%22">College Mathematics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Course+Selection+%28Students%29%22">Course Selection (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex%22">Sex</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22First+Generation+College+Students%22">First Generation College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Commuting+Students%22">Commuting Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+Point+Average%22">Grade Point Average</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduation+Rate%22">Graduation Rate</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Universities%22">State Universities</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Massachusetts%22">Massachusetts</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/15210251231215787
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1521-0251<br />1541-4167
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Previous research has established that peer relationships are important for student success, yet little research has examined connections made in the classroom, as opposed to residence life or extracurricular activities. This project utilized social network analysis in two cohorts of science and mathematics majors to investigate the degree to which students take multiple courses with the same peers. Results showed (1) wide variability in student networks, (2) course selection by students included more repeated connections than random course selection, (3) networks did not vary much by demographic variables (gender, race, first-generation status, and income), and (4) student networks significantly predicted graduation and grades. This correlational research provides a foundation for future experimental research testing the causal impact of classroom-based student networks. This research also serves as a model for how other institutions may analyze institutional data to understand patterns of peer connections and course enrollment at their institution.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1494402
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1494402
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/15210251231215787
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 933
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Networks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Regional Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Majors (Students)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Mathematics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Course Selection (Students)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Race
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: First Generation College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Commuting Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade Point Average
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduation Rate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Massachusetts
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Classroom Connections: A Social Network Analysis of STEM Students at a Regional University
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Laura R. Ramsey
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wanchunzi Yu
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Thomas Kling
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Audrey Kling
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 02
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1521-0251
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1541-4167
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 27
            – Type: issue
              Value: 4
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice
              Type: main
ResultId 1