A broad consensus regarding the need for universities to cultivate academic success has emerged because many students do not achieve their goals or optimally benefit from their higher education (HE) experiences (Altbach, 2014; Davidson & Wilson, 2014; Ferrão & Almeida, 2019; Meggiolaro, Giraldo, & Clerici, 2017; Tinto & Pusser,…

To promote inclusivity in quantitative research about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) students, scholars must first understand how sexual orientation data are collected in higher education survey research (Garvey, 2014; Rankin & Garvey, 2015). There is one research question that guides this study: How is sexual orientation demographic…

This article describes quantitative observation as a method for understanding college educational experiences. Quantitative observation has been used widely in several fields and in K-12 education, but has had limited application to research in higher education and student affairs to date. The article describes the central tenets of quantitative…

With intersectional frameworks gaining in popularity within higher education scholarship, we explored the potential of intersectionality to produce nuanced understandings of college student identity without obscuring its mission to examine overlapping axes of power. This article highlights significant areas for consideration for qualitative…

Because the work of scholars and student affairs practitioners is primarily confined within colonial institutions of higher education, their ethics of research and practice are also primarily bound by the same colonial perspective. Colonial practices perpetuate white dominance and therefore harm students, specifically those from marginalized…

While numbers of students with disabilities continue to rise in postsecondary education, little is known about the extent to which the scholarship on this student population has kept pace. A critical content analysis was conducted to review articles on students with disabilities published in top-tier journals of higher education between 1990 and…

Filipino Americans are one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States and the second largest Asian American/Pacific Islander ethnic group. However, there is little research focusing on the unique experiences of this group, particularly in higher education. This paper presents a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Filipino…

The purpose of this article is to review the extant student affairs diversity literature to better understand the trends and development that have occurred over time. By assessing the trends, scope, and direction of the multicultural literature, perhaps student affairs professionals will be better able to capitalize deliberately on the important…

Outlines use of qualitative research in student affairs. Suggests rationale for the appropriateness of qualitative methods as means of knowledge generation. Discusses five issues of concern. Concludes qualitative research methodology reflects and parallels complexity and richness of student affairs field. (Author/ABL)

Tells how to conduct a meta-analysis study, and refers readers to information about refinements of the techniques. A simple meta-analysis is presented. Describes three fundamental stages to conducting a meta-analysis: (1) literature review; (2) calculation of effect sizes; and (3) analysis of data. (Author/NB)

Describes nonreactive methodology as unobstrusive methods of collecting data that do not interfere with the response itself. Discusses examples of use of nonreactive methodology in student affairs and presents practical steps to help in beginning a program of nonreactive research. (Author/NB)

Contends that qualitative research methods may improve understanding of individual students and groups of students. Discusses key questions in determining appropriateness of qualitative methods for research, evaluations, and policy analysis. Recommends that student affairs professionals consider using qualitative methods in their study of students…

Demonstrated how the ecosystem model can foster positive program change and provide administrators with information that can help them become advocates for disabled persons on college campuses. In the past, this approach has been useful for situations involving students. This study extended the value of this ecosystem approach to include faculty…

Reviews articles (N=481) published in Journal of College Student Development during 1981-1987 to obtain information about research instruments, constructs measured, and participants who completed instruments. Concludes that steps should be taken to encourage development of research instruments, seven types of information should be provided about…

Notes that most student affairs research relies on surveys, standardized tests, and structured interviews to collect data. Although it is acknowledged that these methods have been valuable, the case is made for combining multiple measures to optimize the study of the college student experience. Introduces method triangulation as a way of expanding…