Ty Abernathy

A brief intervention to improve graduation rate, retention rate and academic performance of freshmen (A 12-year study)

Abstract:

A campus-wide research and intervention project to improve graduation rates, retention rates, and academic performance has been conducted over a period of 12 years. Over 26,000 freshmen are included in the data set. Using missed classes as an early indicator of a problem, a brief face-to-face intervention was conducted by residence hall assistants in the student’s room. For the less than 10% of freshmen living off campus, the intervention was conducted by telephone. The intervention focused on the importance of regular class attendance and the student talking to the instructor if they were having problems. Intervention occurred as soon as a freshman had the second absence in any class. The intervention process involved a research center, the provost’s office, deans, faculty, student affairs, and institutional research. Outcome measures were changes in graduation rate, retention rate, and freshman year GPA. Since the baseline data were collected prior to the intervention, graduation rate has increased 10%, retention has increased 7%, and freshmen year GPA has risen from 2.5 to 2.75. During this period the average ACT of incoming freshmen has remained relatively constant.

Citation:
McMillen, D., Abernathy, T., Edwards, J., & Valentine, N. (2011). A brief intervention to improve graduation rate, retention rate and academic performance of freshmen (A 12 year study). Annual National Symposium on Student Retention Proceedings, 519-524.

Prescription drug advertisements and older adults: A case for implicit memory

Abstract:
Prescription drug advertisements are common. Many drug ads are targeted toward older adults, who tend to use more medications and suffer from more chronic conditions. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of such advertising remains uncertain. This paper compared implicit and explicit memory for drug ads in older and younger adults. Older adults typically perform more poorly than young adults on explicit memory tasks, but not on implicit memory tasks. The study measured implicit memory with an incidental ratings exercise and an indirect test of preference; explicit memory was also measured with intentional studying and a direct test of recognition. The study was a 2 x 2 mixed experimental design with one between-participants variable (age group - older vs younger adults) and one within-participants variable (implicit and explicit memory). The memory test measures were the outcome variables of the study. The results showed no age difference for implicit memory for drug ads, but an age difference was found for explicit memory for the ads. The implicit memory manipulation succeeded in demonstrating that drug ads are persuasive, suggesting that a complete assessment of advertising effectiveness should include a test of implicit memory.

Citation:
Abernathy, T., Adams-Price, C., & Henley, T. (2013). Prescription drug advertisements and older adults: A case for implicit memory. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, 7(4), 341-356.