Datasets are often under-exploited by institutions, yet they contain evidence that is potentially of high value for planning and decision-making. This article shows how institutional data were used to determine whether the demographic background of students might have an influence on their performance: this is a matter of particular interest where…

Several variables related to the independence of a student were identified and translated into alternative definitions, which were then tested against a data base collected by the College Entrance Examination Board. The study sample included 32,673 undergraduate students attending at least half time and was as representative as possible of the…