2009 National Survey of Student Engagement
North Carolina State University
Seniors by Discipline
Frequency Distributions (Academic Engagement Items)


Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 31.0% 48.7% 23.0% 26.4% 58.3% 24.0% 42.9% 38.5% 37.1%
Often 33.8% 39.7% 31.7% 39.5% 25.0% 36.4% 31.0% 30.8% 31.4%
Sometimes 32.2% 11.5% 39.7% 33.3% 16.7% 35.6% 23.8% 30.8% 29.5%
Never 3.0%   5.6% 0.8%   4.0% 2.4%   1.9%
Total (N) 1,006 78 126 129 24 225 42 13 105


Made a class presentation NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 19.0% 25.6% 9.5% 31.8% 41.7% 15.7% 9.5% 30.8% 12.4%
Often 37.5% 32.1% 34.9% 41.1% 33.3% 37.7% 26.2% 46.2% 41.9%
Sometimes 40.2% 42.3% 46.8% 24.8% 20.8% 43.0% 61.9% 23.1% 42.9%
Never 3.3%   8.7% 2.3% 4.2% 3.6% 2.4%   2.9%
Total (N) 1,008 78 126 129 24 223 42 13 105


Prepared two or more drafts of a paper or assignment before turning it in NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 11.7% 16.7% 12.0% 14.7% 25.0% 7.1% 7.1% 15.4% 11.3%
Often 22.7% 28.2% 22.4% 23.3% 20.8% 25.0% 14.3% 23.1% 19.8%
Sometimes 41.9% 41.0% 34.4% 47.3% 29.2% 46.0% 40.5% 46.2% 38.7%
Never 23.7% 14.1% 31.2% 14.7% 25.0% 21.9% 38.1% 15.4% 30.2%
Total (N) 1,006 78 125 129 24 224 42 13 106


Worked on a paper or project that required integrating ideas or information from various sources NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 49.3% 61.5% 35.7% 53.9% 58.3% 46.4% 38.1% 91.7% 62.9%
Often 37.9% 32.1% 47.6% 38.3% 20.8% 39.7% 35.7%   34.3%
Sometimes 11.8% 6.4% 15.1% 7.8% 20.8% 12.1% 26.2% 8.3% 2.9%
Never 1.0%   1.6%     1.8%      
Total (N) 1,004 78 126 128 24 224 42 12 105


Included diverse perspectives in class discussions or writing assignments NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 23.0% 39.7% 20.0% 22.5% 54.2% 16.0% 11.9% 15.4% 36.8%
Often 33.7% 38.5% 30.4% 38.0% 16.7% 24.9% 23.8% 53.8% 43.4%
Sometimes 34.9% 21.8% 40.0% 32.6% 16.7% 44.0% 50.0% 30.8% 17.9%
Never 8.5%   9.6% 7.0% 12.5% 15.1% 14.3%   1.9%
Total (N) 1,005 78 125 129 24 225 42 13 106


Come to class without completing readings or assignments NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 9.1% 8.9% 4.8% 6.3% 4.3% 10.2% 4.8% 7.7% 10.5%
Often 17.6% 16.5% 16.0% 15.6% 17.4% 15.5% 9.5% 7.7% 15.2%
Sometimes 59.3% 63.3% 63.2% 68.0% 60.9% 57.5% 71.4% 61.5% 60.0%
Never 14.0% 11.4% 16.0% 10.2% 17.4% 16.8% 14.3% 23.1% 14.3%
Total (N) 1,007 79 125 128 23 226 42 13 105


Worked with other students on projects during class NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 14.8% 7.6% 8.7% 19.5% 33.3% 18.6% 4.9% 7.7% 5.7%
Often 28.9% 25.3% 26.2% 31.3% 29.2% 29.2% 26.8% 38.5% 25.5%
Sometimes 45.8% 57.0% 56.3% 40.6% 29.2% 38.5% 56.1% 46.2% 59.4%
Never 10.5% 10.1% 8.7% 8.6% 8.3% 13.7% 12.2% 7.7% 9.4%
Total (N) 1,007 79 126 128 24 226 41 13 106


Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 37.6% 12.7% 19.0% 60.9% 20.8% 60.0% 33.3% 38.5% 16.0%
Often 32.7% 30.4% 44.4% 28.1% 33.3% 26.2% 38.1% 30.8% 31.1%
Sometimes 26.6% 51.9% 29.4% 10.9% 41.7% 12.4% 26.2% 30.8% 48.1%
Never 3.1% 5.1% 7.1%   4.2% 1.3% 2.4%   4.7%
Total (N) 1,010 79 126 128 24 225 42 13 106


Put together ideas/concepts from different courses when completing assignments/class discussions NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 29.3% 22.8% 25.0% 35.4% 50.0% 32.7% 28.6% 30.8% 26.4%
Often 42.1% 49.4% 46.0% 42.5% 20.8% 37.2% 38.1% 53.8% 42.5%
Sometimes 26.2% 24.1% 27.4% 22.0% 20.8% 26.9% 31.0% 15.4% 30.2%
Never 2.4% 3.8% 1.6%   8.3% 3.1% 2.4%   0.9%
Total (N) 976 79 124 127 24 223 42 13 106


Tutored or taught other students (paid or voluntary) NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 8.7% 6.3% 11.2% 2.3% 25.0% 10.7% 23.3%   6.7%
Often 12.2% 8.9% 20.0% 7.0% 16.7% 16.0% 16.3%   8.6%
Sometimes 37.5% 46.8% 29.6% 38.0% 33.3% 40.0% 37.2% 38.5% 31.4%
Never 41.7% 38.0% 39.2% 52.7% 25.0% 33.3% 23.3% 61.5% 53.3%
Total (N) 982 79 125 129 24 225 43 13 105


Participated in a community-based project as part of a regular course NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 4.3% 2.6% 7.2% 0.8% 20.8% 1.8% 2.3%   9.4%
Often 8.5% 3.8% 11.2% 9.3% 20.8% 4.5% 2.3% 30.8% 6.6%
Sometimes 28.6% 35.9% 32.8% 30.2% 29.2% 22.0% 16.3% 38.5% 22.6%
Never 58.6% 57.7% 48.8% 59.7% 29.2% 71.7% 79.1% 30.8% 61.3%
Total (N) 979 78 125 129 24 223 43 13 106


Used an electronic medium to discuss or complete an assignment NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 40.0% 34.2% 40.0% 52.3% 70.8% 41.3% 30.2% 38.5% 28.3%
Often 29.1% 39.2% 22.4% 30.5% 16.7% 29.8% 27.9%   30.2%
Sometimes 26.6% 21.5% 34.4% 15.6% 8.3% 23.6% 37.2% 38.5% 38.7%
Never 4.3% 5.1% 3.2% 1.6% 4.2% 5.3% 4.7% 23.1% 2.8%
Total (N) 981 79 125 128 24 225 43 13 106


Used e-mail to communicate with an instructor NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 60.9% 65.8% 61.6% 65.1% 66.7% 60.0% 51.2% 53.8% 60.4%
Often 31.0% 31.6% 28.8% 27.9% 29.2% 29.8% 39.5% 46.2% 28.3%
Sometimes 7.8% 2.5% 9.6% 7.0% 4.2% 9.3% 9.3%   10.4%
Never 0.3%         0.9%     0.9%
Total (N) 982 79 125 129 24 225 43 13 106


Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 24.3% 19.0% 25.6% 28.1% 33.3% 24.4% 16.3% 46.2% 20.8%
Often 33.8% 41.8% 32.0% 33.6% 33.3% 31.6% 37.2% 15.4% 34.9%
Sometimes 37.6% 36.7% 38.4% 35.2% 33.3% 38.2% 39.5% 38.5% 43.4%
Never 4.3% 2.5% 4.0% 3.1%   5.8% 7.0%   0.9%
Total (N) 982 79 125 128 24 225 43 13 106


Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 17.5% 22.8% 21.6% 14.8% 37.5% 15.1% 18.6% 30.8% 17.9%
Often 27.6% 29.1% 29.6% 24.2% 20.8% 27.6% 32.6% 38.5% 19.8%
Sometimes 42.5% 39.2% 43.2% 46.1% 33.3% 40.4% 39.5% 30.8% 46.2%
Never 12.3% 8.9% 5.6% 14.8% 8.3% 16.9% 9.3%   16.0%
Total (N) 982 79 125 128 24 225 43 13 106


Discussed ideas from readings/classes with faculty members outside of class NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 7.7% 11.4% 8.8% 8.6% 12.5% 7.6% 7.0% 7.7% 1.9%
Often 15.5% 20.3% 13.6% 16.4% 29.2% 17.0% 4.7%   19.8%
Sometimes 46.0% 51.9% 47.2% 38.3% 37.5% 42.9% 53.5% 61.5% 50.0%
Never 30.8% 16.5% 30.4% 36.7% 20.8% 32.6% 34.9% 30.8% 28.3%
Total (N) 982 79 125 128 24 224 43 13 106


Received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on academic performance NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 16.4% 21.5% 19.0% 17.8% 33.3% 11.5% 14.0% 23.1% 18.1%
Often 48.7% 46.8% 39.7% 51.2% 50.0% 53.5% 48.8% 30.8% 45.7%
Sometimes 30.9% 26.6% 33.3% 30.2% 16.7% 29.2% 37.2% 38.5% 33.3%
Never 4.0% 5.1% 7.9% 0.8%   5.8%   7.7% 2.9%
Total (N) 973 79 126 129 24 226 43 13 105


Worked harder than you thought you could to meet instructor's standards/expectations NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 17.5% 15.2% 20.8% 15.5% 25.0% 22.7% 9.3% 53.8% 12.3%
Often 37.7% 39.2% 31.2% 45.7% 41.7% 33.8% 25.6% 15.4% 42.5%
Sometimes 36.7% 34.2% 37.6% 33.3% 29.2% 33.8% 58.1% 30.8% 36.8%
Never 8.1% 11.4% 10.4% 5.4% 4.2% 9.8% 7.0%   8.5%
Total (N) 973 79 125 129 24 225 43 13 106


Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 7.6% 8.9% 9.5% 7.0% 12.5% 7.6% 11.6% 7.7% 9.7%
Often 14.5% 11.4% 7.1% 23.3% 20.8% 15.6% 9.3% 15.4% 11.7%
Sometimes 34.1% 35.4% 38.9% 34.9% 29.2% 33.5% 37.2% 38.5% 28.2%
Never 43.8% 44.3% 44.4% 34.9% 37.5% 43.3% 41.9% 38.5% 50.5%
Total (N) 970 79 126 129 24 224 43 13 103


Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 25.7% 36.7% 27.8% 24.0% 25.0% 20.0% 20.9% 38.5% 38.7%
Often 39.1% 41.8% 42.9% 34.9% 50.0% 44.0% 30.2% 30.8% 34.0%
Sometimes 31.8% 21.5% 26.2% 37.2% 16.7% 32.0% 46.5% 30.8% 27.4%
Never 3.4%   3.2% 3.9% 8.3% 4.0% 2.3%    
Total (N) 974 79 126 129 24 225 43 13 106


Had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than your own NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 28.1% 31.6% 28.6% 27.9% 37.5% 34.7% 23.3% 23.1% 27.4%
Often 28.0% 36.7% 27.0% 30.2% 16.7% 27.6% 30.2% 30.8% 26.4%
Sometimes 33.4% 29.1% 33.3% 34.1% 29.2% 24.9% 32.6% 46.2% 38.7%
Never 10.5% 2.5% 11.1% 7.8% 16.7% 12.9% 14.0%   7.5%
Total (N) 973 79 126 129 24 225 43 13 106


Had serious conversations with students with different religious beliefs, political opinions, personal values NCSU1 Arts Biological
Sciences
Business Education Engineering Physical
Sciences
Professional Social
Sciences
Very often 30.3% 32.9% 28.6% 31.8% 37.5% 34.7% 23.3% 30.8% 33.0%
Often 30.6% 38.0% 30.2% 35.7% 29.2% 27.6% 37.2% 46.2% 29.2%
Sometimes 32.1% 27.8% 34.9% 30.2% 16.7% 27.6% 34.9% 23.1% 34.0%
Never 7.0% 1.3% 6.3% 2.3% 16.7% 10.2% 4.7%   3.8%
Total (N) 974 79 126 129 24 225 43 13 106
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Endnote:
1. "NCSU" results include a small number of students whose major did not fall into one of the eight fields or who did not indicate a major.

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