Sense of Belonging at the Institution and the University Writing Center
Jaylin L. Jones - English/Black Studies/Sociology
What does it mean to belong?
Project Origins
Learning how to reach general student populations.
Tutoring Methodology
01
02
Learning how we adapt our methods to better connect with others.
Who feels supported?
03
Is there a way to statistically determine belonging?
How do we know?
04
Can the writing center improve sense of belonging? How?
Sense of Belonging Research
Concepts
What is sense of belonging?
An individual’s perception of being supported, valued, encouraged and included by others.
How is it relevant to writing center studies?
This metric is highly correlated to student’s academic outcomes, persistence and overall mental health.
Methodology
Qualtrics Survey - Collecting Data
Short survey created in Qualtrics and disseminated through the student body via mass email.
Modification of Imperial College London’s Scale
Altered slightly to be more writing center specific and based on my home institution. Studies students’ belonging in the center and the university as a whole.
Section of Original Scale, Modified for Context
Source: Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship, Imperial College London
Social Connections Reported
Staff
Peers
Faculty
Findings and Analysis
Avg Score: 5.50
WC-Participants Only: 5.71
Non-Participants Only: 5.17
STATISTICS
Avg Score: 6.18
Indicates potential causation.
75% of participants noted an increase in sense of belonging due to the writing center.
30% of participants found the center to have a non-zero impact on sense of belonging.
Results and Implications
Significant correlation found, writing center participants have a higher average sense of belonging within the institution.
Some causation determined, those who engage with the center report it having an effect on their slightly greater sense of belonging.
Improved results with larger sample size and longer sampling period.