title: Sandbox University: estimating influence of institutional action.
abstract: The approach presented in this article represents a generalizable and adaptable methodology for identifying complex interactions in educational systems and for investigating how manipulation of these systems may affect educational outcomes of interest. Multilayer Minimum Spanning Tree and Monte-Carlo methods are used. A virtual Sandbox University is created in order to facilitate effective identification of successful and stable initiatives within higher education, which can affect students' credits and student retention - something that has been lacking up until now. The results highlight the importance of teacher feedback and teacher-student rapport, which is congruent with current educational findings, illustrating the methodology's potential to provide a new basis for further empirical studies of issues in higher education from a complex systems perspective.
authors: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Forsman
authors: Department of Mathematics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute for Futures Studies, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Richard P
authors: RP
authors: Mann
authors: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Physics, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Cedric
authors: C
authors: Linder
authors: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University, Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: Maartje
authors: M
authors: van den Bogaard
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D004517:Education, Professional; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007858:Learning; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities