Title page
Contents
Executive Summary 3
Chapter 1. Introduction 10
1.1. Overview of Research Data File Documentation 10
1.2. Purpose, Background, and Design of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS) 11
Chapter 2. Data Collection Methods, Processes, and Outcomes 13
2.1. Identification of Students for BPS:12 Student Records Collection 13
2.2. Identification of Institutions for BPS:12 Student Records Collection 14
2.3. Data Collection Systems, Processes, and QC 15
2.3.1. Postsecondary Data Portal Website 15
2.3.2. Institution Contacting System and Institution-Contacting Staff 15
2.3.3. Institution Contacting and Recruitment 15
2.3.4. Student Records Instrument 17
2.3.5. Student Records QC Procedures 18
2.4. Data Collection Outcomes 19
2.4.1. Institution-Level Data Collection Outcomes 19
2.4.2. Student-Level Data Collection Outcomes 20
Chapter 3. Data File Preparation and Processing 22
3.1. Overview of the BPS:12 Student Records Collection Research Data Files 22
3.2. Data Processing 23
3.2.1. Data Editing 23
3.2.2. Data Perturbation 26
3.2.3. Derived Variable Construction 27
Chapter 4. Statistical Imputations 28
4.1. Identifying Study Respondents 28
4.2. Imputation Process and Model 32
4.3. Imputation Quality Checks and Findings 36
References 37
Appendix A. Acronyms and Abbreviations 39
Appendix B. Training Agendas for Institution Data Collection 41
Appendix C. Notification Materials for Institution Data Collection 45
Letter to Institutions-Non-Study Specific 47
PDP Packet Contents 48
Transcript and Student Records Collection Letter to IR Director or Chief Administrator-Joint Study Collection 50
Student Records Collection-Request Letter from NCES to Financial Aid Director or Designee-Joint Study Collection 52
Student Records Collection-FAQ Sheet for Financial Aid Director or Designee-Joint Study Collection 54
Student Records Collection-Disclosure Notice-Joint Study Collection 55
Student Records Collection-RTI Letter to Financial Aid Director or Designee for Additional Students-Joint Study Collection 56
Student Records Collection-Sample Reminder E-mail 1 to Financial Aid Director or Designee-Joint Study Collection 58
Student Records Collection-Sample Reminder E-mail 2 to Financial Aid Director or Designee-Joint Study Collection 59
Student Records Collection-Quick Guide to Providing Student Records Data-Joint Study Collection 60
Student Records Collection-Text for Student Records Brochure-BPS:12 Only 63
Postsecondary Data Portal Flyer Text 65
Appendix D. Student Records Instrument Specifications 66
Appendix E. Analysis Variables 140
Appendix F. Unweighted Item Response Rates 152
Table 1. Eligible institution participation and student records data collection modes, by control and level of institution: 2017-18 20
Table 2. Student-level student records data collection results: 2017-18 21
Table 3. BPS:12 student records collection restricted-use research file, description, and file path: 2017-2019 23
Table 4. Description of missing data codes: 2017-19 25
Table 5. Study respondent definitions, by attempt 30
Table 6. Number of BPS:12 student records collection, NPSAS:16, and NPSAS:18-AC cases from the imputation process, by year in postsecondary education: 2011-12, 2015-16, 2017-18 34
Table F.1. Unweighted item response rates for derived variables constructed from imputed variables, for all respondents, by control and level of the NPSAS institution: 2017 153