A generalized linear mixed model for understanding determinant factors of student's interest in pursuing bachelor's degree at Universitas Syiah Kuala

Abstract

Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) is a framework that has a response variable, fixed effects, and random effects. The response variable comes from an exponential family, whereas random effects have a normal distribution. Estimating parameters can be calculated using the maximum likelihood method using the Laplace approach or the Gauss-Hermite Quadrature (GHQ) approach. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that trigger student's interest to continue studying at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) using both techniques.  The GLMM is suitable for the data because the variable response has a Bernoulli distribution, and the random effects are assumed to be having a normal distribution. Also, the model helps identify the relationship between the dependent variable and the predictors. This study utilizes data from six high schools in Banda Aceh city drawn using a two-stage sampling technique. Stage 1, we randomly chose six out of sixteen public senior high schools in Banda Aceh. Stage 2, we selected students from each school from four different major classes. The GLMM model includes one binary response variable, five numerical fixed-effects, and two random effects. The response variable is the interest of high school students to continue study at USK (yes or no). The five fixed effects in the model including scores of collaboration (C), Action (A), Emotion (E), Purposes (P), and Hope (H).  Finally, the random effects are schools (S) and majors (M). In this study, both Laplace and GHQ techniques produce identical results. The predictors that can explain student interest are A, E, and H. These predictors have a positive effect. The random effects of schools and majors are not significantly different from zero. The model with three significant predictors is better than the complete predictor model.