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A Cox Proportional Hazards Model with Latent Covariates Reflecting Students’ Preparation, Motives, and Expectations for the Analysis of Time to Degree

Author

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  • Dimitrios Kalamaras

    (Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Aegean College, University of Essex, 105 64 Athina, Greece)

  • Laura Maska

    (Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Aegean College, University of Essex, 105 64 Athina, Greece)

  • Fani Nasika

    (Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Aegean College, University of Essex, 105 64 Athina, Greece)

Abstract

Issues related to the duration of university studies have attracted the interest of many researchers from different scientific fields, as far back as the middle of the 20th century. In this study, a Survival Analysis methodology and, more specifically, a Cox Proportional hazards model, has been proposed to evaluate a theoretical framework/model that relates the risk a student might face either graduating on time or having a late graduation, with a number of observed and latent factors that have been proposed in the literature as the main determinants of time to degree completion. The major findings of the analysis suggest that the factors contributing to reducing the duration of studies include high academic achievements at early stages, positive motivation, expectations, attitudes, and beliefs regarding studies. On the contrary, external situations, negative academic experiences, and some individual characteristics of the students contribute to an extended duration of studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios Kalamaras & Laura Maska & Fani Nasika, 2025. "A Cox Proportional Hazards Model with Latent Covariates Reflecting Students’ Preparation, Motives, and Expectations for the Analysis of Time to Degree," Stats, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jstats:v:8:y:2025:i:2:p:37-:d:1654985
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lison L. Booth & Stephen E. Satchell, 1995. "The Hazards of Doing a Phd: An Analysis of Completion and Withdrawal Rates of British Phd Students in the 1980S," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 158(2), pages 297-318, March.
    2. Jeremy P. Smith & Robin A. Naylor, 2001. "Dropping out of university: A statistical analysis of the probability of withdrawal for UK university students," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 164(2), pages 389-405.
    3. Pavlos Nikolaidis & Maizatul Ismail & Liyana Shuib & Shakir Khan & Gaurav Dhiman, 2022. "Predicting Student Attrition in Higher Education through the Determinants of Learning Progress: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
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