A Systematic Review of the Factors that Impact the Prediction of Retention and Dropout in Higher Education

Abstract

Identifying factors that affect academic dropout and retention is a research area that brings a plurality of opinions and concepts. This article identifies current primary studies to understand the main factors related to dropout and retention. It is quantitative, exploratory, and explanatory research of an applied nature, using the technical procedures of case study and bibliographic research. The systematic review of the literature identifies the factors that impact academic dropout and retention and serves as a basis for a machine learning project. Academic, demographic, and learning factors can predict dropouts and retention. The definition of the factors used and the way of use is essential to obtain good forecasting results. The identified factors were used in the institution.