Definition
The phenomenon where students who enter an academic program together share characteristics and outcomes that differ from other groups, making it tricky to determine if changes are due to the program or just that particular batch of humans. Basically, statistical proof that Year-of-the-Rat kids might actually be different from Year-of-the-Ox kids.
Example Usage
The assessment committee couldn't tell if the new curriculum was working or if they were just seeing a cohort effect from that unusually motivated incoming class.
Origin
From social science research methodology, borrowed into educational research in the mid-20th century
Fun Fact
Cohort effects are why comparing graduation rates across different years can be as misleading as comparing apples to unusually motivated oranges.
Related Terms
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See “cohort effect” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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