Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.60.3.7
How do Students Choose Their Study Courses? Qualitative Research on Motivational, Gender and Contextual Factors
Ivana Pikić Jugović
; Institut za društvena istraživanja u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
Branislava Baranović
orcid.org/0000-0001-6768-3596
; Institut za društvena istraživanja u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The goal of the paper was to investigate, using the qualitative method, how students understand
their own process of choosing a study course at the higher education level. This study
was grounded in the Eccles et al.’s situated expectancy-value theory. The research questions
were the following: 1) What do students recognize as the main reasons for their own course
choice decision?, 2) How do they perceive the role of important others in their decision to
choose a course?, and 3) How do they understand the relationship between gender stereotypes
about studies and occupations, and their own course choice? A semi-structured interview was
conducted with 44 first-year university students (22 young men and 22 young women). The
thematic analysis of the interviews showed that motivational beliefs, important others and
gender stereotypes played different roles in the choice of a study course. Subjective values,
especially interest, perceived usefulness and cost of effort are recognized as important motivational
influences. Parents, teachers, and especially friends influenced course choices with their
advice, information and support. The analysis of gender dimension showed the prevalence of a
perception that gender stereotypes did not influence one’s own study course choice. However,
when the influence of gender stereotypes was recognized, it was in line with the expectations:
students of gender-typical courses stated that they avoided gender non-stereotyped professional
choices, while a female student of mechanical engineering described the importance of
rejecting stereotypes for her decision to study a typically male course. Practical implications
aiming at expanding the spectrum of possible course choices include providing additional
information for pupils about study courses and raising their awareness about the influence of
gender stereotypes on educational choices.
Ključne riječi
course choice; motivation; gender stereotypes; qualitative method; students
Hrčak ID:
295212
URI
Datum izdavanja:
9.3.2023.
Posjeta: 1.023 *