Journal of Educational Management Research
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026)

Examining the Relationship Between Lecturer Service Quality and Student Retention

Lasut, Elizabeth Meiske Maythy (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 May 2026

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between lecturers’ service quality dimensions—assurance, tangibles, empathy, reliability, and responsiveness—and student retention in higher education. A quantitative correlational design was employed involving 212 first-year, second-semester students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment correlation. The findings revealed that all dimensions of lecturers’ service quality were rated at a high level, with tangibles obtaining the highest mean score (4.05) and reliability the lowest (3.85). Student retention was also categorized as high (mean = 3.65). Furthermore, all service quality dimensions showed positive and significant relationships with student retention. Assurance (r = 0.453) and tangibles (r = 0.450) demonstrated the strongest relationships, followed by empathy (r = 0.337), reliability (r = 0.331), and responsiveness (r = 0.169). The study implies that higher education institutions should prioritize strengthening lecturers’ competence and professionalism while improving reliability in teaching practices to enhance student retention.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jemr

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Educational Management Research is an international peer-reviewed journal which publishes original and significant contributions to educational management, administration, and leadership, in its broadest sense, from all over the world. This includes primary research projects in schools ...