Download - ENGLISH 102 Thesis
The Factors that Affect Student’s Choices
In the Tertiary Course(s) they Acquire
Ellen Joyce L. Sy
Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod
“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Abstract
This research was conducted to identify the factors that affect student’s choices in the tertiary
courses they acquire. The study seeks the difference when said subjects are grouped according to
gender or age. The experimental study made use of the descriptive method in research involving
fifty tertiary students that represents the collegiate level scholars. It is grouped as such because
there have been gender discrimination in the fields of occupational professions. There is also a
saying that wisdom comes with age. But sociologists believe that as we age, the more we are
distracted away from the goals and objectives we wished to achieve. In other words, we can
easily become senile. Through survey method, the researcher will have found the most
influential of all agents of socialization. Socialization is the process through which people learn
the expectations of society. Society can be described as a group or a whole, but in this study, it
can also be described as the external influence to an individual.
Keywords: Tertiary, Gender, Age, Socialization
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Table of Contents
1. ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………..1
I. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….3
I.1 Statement of the Problem…………………………………………………5
I.2 Significance of the Study…………………………………………………5
I.3 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………………...5
I.4 Definition of Terms……………………………………………………….6
I.5 Limitations of the Study…………………………………………………..6
II. METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………………7
III. RESULTS …………………………………………………………………………….8
IV. DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………..10
IV.1 Related Literature………………………………………………………..10
V. CONCLUSIONS...………………………………………….……………………….12
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………...13
VII. REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………14
VIII.1 Sample Questionnaire………………………………………………………...14
VIII.2 Tables…………………………………………………………………………15
VIII.2.A Over-All Results………………………………………………………..15
VIII.2.B According to Gender…………………………………………………...16
VIII.2.C According to Age………………………………………………………16
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Introduction
“There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, learning and yearning.” And in
true context to this quote by Christopher Morley is the evidence of our experiences wherein the
learning process is unintended but continuous all the same. But once we have learned some
knowledge, we yearn for more so that we can elevate ourselves. It is only natural to think that
way because man is hardly content for long or we are, sometimes, rather insatiable. In this
consideration, we can say that we ourselves have asked if what we yearn for is our own. If we
are not influenced by external factors in the decisions we make.
Society can be described as a group or a whole, but in this study, it can also be described
as the external influence to an individual. Socialization is the process through which people learn
the expectations of society and roles are presented for these expectations, it has been theorized
before by Plato, Montaigne and Rousseau. Here are six agents of socialization. Family is one and
the most important because they are the primary caretakers, they are the ones who introduce
children to social expectations but this is not limited to blood relations. There are many kinds of
family and they have the most influence because we follow on their footsteps, through them we
choose our religion and base our social status. Another is the media – the various means of mass
communication which provides social images. Sports can also function with and or under media.
It develops a sense of group power and awareness of gender inequalities. (Blinde et al., 1994).
Men’s identity was shaped because sports enforce the homophobic attitude or the fear of
homosexuals. (Messner, 1992). Women excelling in sports are often stereotyped as lesbians as a
form of social control to reinforce traditional gender roles. (Blinde and Taub, 1992a, 1992b)
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Peers are those you interact with on equal terms, learn self concept while gaining social
skills and form attitudes. It is said that girls form a close knit & egalitarian group while boys tend
to have hierarchical group. But a study shows 40% of boys have friendships with intimacy, in
general they tend to have share more activities than feelings (Corsaro and Eder, 1990; Youniss
and Smollar, 1985). While religion shapes the beliefs and values that people develop. Research
on urban individuals shows as religious faith increases so does educational attainment (Brown
and Gary, 1991). And schools cause direct effect as students are exposed to hierarchical
bureaucratic environment.
Education in society is concerned with the systematic transmission of the society’s
knowledge. Patterning ourselves for the standards of society has been long conformed because of
our need to feel that we belong. Education not only involves reading, writing and arithmetic but
also morals, values and ethics. Schools emphasize conformity to social needs like the respect for
authority, punctuality and discipline. These prepare the young for entry into society, specifically
organizations that values these traits. (Bowks and Gintis, 1976; Lever, 1978). Functionalists view
education as a form of social control and occupational training. It is said that the more formal
training the individual receives, the higher his occupational status will be. Thus, many say that
education is the solution for poverty and low social standing.
These are some of the important points on the effects society has on an individual. The
researcher’s aim is to divulge individual’s priorities because it has determining consequence in
his consideration for his tertiary education. It will also show if there is correlation between his
considerations during his selection of course to be taken and those who support his decision. This
is important because support subdue the fears that take individuals from their goals.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Statement of the Problem
This study will determine “The Factors that Affect Student’s Choices in the Tertiary
Course(s) they acquire”
Significance of the Study
This study is significant to the researcher because she has personally experienced the
pressure on this critical decision making, twice. It is also significant academically because it is
based on individual and societal education found in a 3rd world or developing country which has
limited number of applicable studies. And Society can benefit from this by relating later findings
to their expectations and improving the agents of socialization by enriching their importance.
Objectives of the Study
1. Determine the Factors that Affect Student’s choices in the Tertiary Course(s) they
acquire?
2. Determine if there is a significant difference on these factors when they are grouped
according to gender and age?
Hypotheses
This study will prove the following hypotheses:
1. There is no significant difference on the factors that affect students’ choices in the tertiary
course(s) they acquire when they are grouped according to the age of the students.
2. There is no significant difference on the factors that affect students’ choices in the tertiary
course(s) they acquire when they are grouped according to the gender of the students.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Definition of Terms
Factors – The elements that influence and contributes to any given situation or decision.
Affect – The action or reaction to the factors that may cause altercations or disruptions.
Students – The pupils that will be going or is under an educational institution.
Choices – The selection, in this case, of courses available to the students.
Tertiary – The educational level one enters after passing secondary school standards.
Courses – The training modules of different professions available to students.
Acquire – The attainment and development of the student’s course(s).
Limitations of the Study
There are many external factors that affect student’s choice in the tertiary course he
wishes to acquire like the name or popularity of the institution in a given field or his accessibility
to such institutions from his home or the psychological tests he may have undertaken in his
previous education to give the most compatible occupation to him before his decision to simply
pick a course he feels suited for. So this study will limit it only to the ones discussed in the
introduction. Some of these factors may also help determine his success in his tertiary course but
we will only initiate this conductive research on the most influential factor so that we don’t stray
away from the objectives of this study.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Methodology
This chapter describes the research designs, the subjects and the instrumentation used in
gathering data, the procedure followed in the gathering of data as well as the data analysis
technique and procedure employed.
This study uses the descriptive method in research. According to Gay (1976), descriptive
research involves the collection of data in order to test the hypotheses or to answer the questions
concerning the current status of the subject of the study. A descriptive study determines and
reports the way things are. The principal aims in employing this method are to describe the
nature of a situation as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular
phenomena. (Traver, 1978)
50 Questionnaires were distributed and 50 were returned.
This study used Quota sampling. This sampling identifies a set of important
characteristics of a population and then the researcher selects the desired samples in a non-
random way. It is assumed that the samples will match the population with regard to the chosen
set of characteristics. (Vockell, 1983) This study also used correlation. A correlation is a
statistical measure of the extent to which two variables are associated so that some factors can be
used to predict others. (Spearman, 1904)
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Results
The Survey Questionnaire posed questions answering the hypothesis to be proven. The
first question asks the enlistment of the individual’s priorities to see the most influential agent of
socialization in comparison to himself. In the Over-all results, their first consideration in
choosing their tertiary course is Themselves (dreams, goals); second to be considered are their
Families (traditions); third is their Status (class standing, life situation); fourth are their Friends
(choices, peer pressure) and lastly are their Teachers & School (advice, suggestions);. It can be
concluded that the influence of socialization lies second to the student’s ambitions.
The second question asks to enlist the individual’s support system, these can be
themselves to show how confident and competent they are of their abilities in their chosen field
and the agents of socialization that can either encourage the students or disrupt them. In the
Over-all results, their main support system is their family which is factual because their
education is funded mostly by their families. Second is themselves, possibly because they lack
independence to live and fend for themselves. Third is their status, in most cases, poverty
stricken individuals hardly finish secondary education so most of those who are able to go to
college are in either the middle class or the upper class. Fourth are friends and lastly are the
teachers.
It is important to correlate these two because if they are positively correlated, it can be a
minor achievement to the individual that may encourage him to pursue his ambitions. But his
belief in himself seems to falter as his first consideration is himself but his main supporter is his
family, it is negatively correlated. Therefore, schools should instill more confidence in their
graduates as they finish their secondary education. But otherwise, it is positively correlated.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
When the results of their considerations are grouped according to gender, their top three
considerations didn’t change but the male considers the teacher’s advice more important than his
friends’ choice which is the opposite for the females. When these results are grouped according
to age, the top two considerations didn’t change. But those aged below 18 considers their
teacher’s advice before friends and their status. While those aged 18 and above considers their
status before friends and their teachers’ advice.
When the results of their support system are grouped according to gender, their top two
answers don’t change but males’ feels their friends support more than their status & teachers’
support and females’ feels their status supports them more than teachers & their friends. When
these results are grouped according to age, the top three supporters don’t change but those aged
below 18 feels the support of their teachers more than their friends which is the opposite for
those aged 18 and above.
The majority also believes that there is gender equality today, in the choices of courses
and the different professions available today whether grouped in gender or age. The majority
also believes that there is also very little or no media influence whether grouped according to
gender or age. In the over-all results there is very little or no peer pressure but males and those
aged 18 & above feel there is. And yes, many believe that teachers are just as important as
parents. And sociologists do believe that schools do have direct effect in regards to students but
they often have the least influence on an individual’s choice.
Friends’ choices or giving in to Peer Pressure is often but not as influential like family, so
it is natural for it to place as their fourth consideration and support. Thus, the student’s peers
often pressure them into conformity but provide lesser support once they have conformed.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Discussion
Review of Related Literature
In the 2000 Census of the Philippines it is stated that 92.6% of the population is literate,
meaning that the people age 15 and over can read and write. In 1980, the Philippines placed 8 th in
150 countries that participated in world statistics in the category of Education enrollment in the
tertiary level. By the year 2002 we have slipped to 9 th place in the same category. Unlike the
western countries the Philippines have little or no racial discriminations. What we have though,
is likely a case of inferiority complex. According to the 2006 estimate, 34% of the total
population is under the poverty line. This means that more than 30% of the population may be
suffering from inferiority complex because they feel that they cannot surpass the standards set by
the educational institutions. Teachers perceive working class or poor children less bright, less
motivated and trouble makers than middle-class children. (Bowditch, 1993) This way of thinking
only helps to decrease students’ self-esteem and consequently increases the population’s
unemployment rate of 7.5% (2009 est.)
The teachers’ influence seems to have the least importance in the student’s tertiary course
in decision making. Teachers are responsible for the student academically, their advice matters.
According to Highet (1950), good teachers feel that … “It is very difficult to teach anything
without kindness. Students should feel that the teacher wants to help them, wants them to
improve, interested in their growth, sorry for their mistakes, and pleased by their successes and
sympathetic with their inadequacies.”
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
According to Robert Rosenthal (1968) High expectations encourages students to do better
and low expectations lead to mediocre performance. He told teachers certain students were
bloomers based on his tests but the testing was done randomly and had nothing to do with
Rosenthal’s predictions. The students who were thought to be bloomers out-performed the rest
on a retest at the year-end; they gained 15 IQ points over the non-bloomers. Teachers’
expectancy creates self-fulfilling prophecy. But this is also applicable to Parents.
A study sponsored by the National Science Foundation confirmed that the greatest impact
on a student’s performance is parental encouragement. Without it, children have difficulties over
the schools’ purpose. Parents without interest produce students who do poorly and may drop-out
eventually. The best kind of support is active and specific. Insisting on finishing homework,
discussing schoolwork and praising a well-done assignment are examples of active and specific
support. Parents may be insecure of their own academic achievements or abilities but it should
not prevent them from speaking up to possibly misguided teachers on the children’s
performance.
But, as children enter adolescence, the feel social pressures beginning to war with
the priority of learning. Recognition of Athletic abilities or Leadership skills can be far more
important to them than good grades. Teenagers want to be treated as individuals, yet fear doing
things that may set them apart from their peers. Being within ones’ peer groups protects them
from feeling isolated or inadequate. For example, the very bright student may try to hide his
academic abilities so as to not stand out from the crowd. High school graduates going to colleges
have difficulties with families over their new status.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Conclusion
From the previous results, we can conclude that there is a significant difference on the
factors that affect students’ choices in the tertiary course(s) they acquire when they are grouped
according to the age of the students. But there is no significant difference on the factors that
affect students’ choices in the tertiary course(s) they acquire when they are grouped according to
the gender of the students.
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
Bibliography
Books:
Andersen, M. L., & Taylor, H.f. (2001) Sociology: The Essentials. Connecticut, CT:
Thomson Learning Inc.
Guiness, A.E. (ed.) (1990) Reader’s Digest: ABC’s of the Human Mind. New York, NY:
The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.
Kahn, J.E. (ed.) (1991) Reader’s Digest: How to Write and Speak Better English. New
York, NY: The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.
Online References:
www.readersdigest.com.ph
www.starteacher.ph
www.nationmaster.com
www.answers.com/topic/socialization
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
References
Sample Questionnaire
February 24, 2010
Dear Madam/Sir:
I, of the first year college students of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod, am conducting a research on “The Factors that Affect Students’ Choice in the Tertiary Course(s) they acquire”. I would like to solicit your help in this project. Kindly fill out the questionnaire with your honest opinions or views regarding this matter. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Ellen Joyce L. Sy
Gender: Age:
_ Male _ Below 18
_ Female _ 18 & Above
1. What were you considering in choosing your course? (arrange 1 to 5, 1 – first consideration)_ Yourself (dreams, goals)
_ Your Family (traditions)
_ Your Friends (choices, peer pressure)
_ Your Teachers & School (advice, suggestions)
_ Your Status (class standing, life situation)
1. Who supports you the most in your chosen course? (arrange 1 to 5, 1 – first consideration)_ Yourself (dreams, goals)
_ Your Family (traditions)
_ Your Friends (choices, peer pressure)
_ Your Teachers & School (advice, suggestions)
_ Your Status (class standing, life situation)
2. Do you think that there is gender equality in courses? Females are equal to Males? (1 only)_ Yes
_ No
3. If you are a boy, do sports make you boyish? If you are a girl, does beautifying make you girly? (1 only)_ Yes
_ No
4. Are you easily persuaded by your peers? (1 only)_ Yes
_ No
5. Do you think that teachers are just as important as your parents? (1 only)_ Yes
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
_ No
TABLES
Over-All Results
Considerations
1 Yourself (dreams, goals)
2 Family (traditions)
3 Status (class standing, life situation)
4 Friends (choices, peer pressure)
5 Teachers & School (advice, suggestions)
Supporters
1 Family (traditions)
2 Yourself (dreams, goals)
3 Status (class standing, life situation)
4 Friends (choices, peer pressure)
5 Teachers & School (advice, suggestions)
*Gender Equality YES
*Media Influence NO
*Peer Pressure NO
*Teachers as 2nd Parents YES
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“THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT STUDENT’S CHOICES IN THE TERIARY COURSE(S) THEY ACQUIRE”
According to Gender
MALE FEMALEConsiderations
1 Yourself 1 Yourself 2 Family 2 Family 3 Status 3 Status 4 Teachers & School 4 Friends5 Friends 5 Teachers & School
Supporters1 Family 1 Family2 Yourself 2 Yourself3 Friends 3 Status4 Status 4 Teachers & School 5 Teachers & School 5 Friends
Gender Equality YES Gender Equality YESMedia Influence NO Media Influence NOPeer Pressure YES Peer Pressure NOTeachers as 2nd Parents YES Teachers as 2nd Parents YES
According to Age
BELOW 18 18 & ABOVEConsiderations
1 Yourself 1 Yourself 2 Family 2 Family 3 Teachers & School 3 Status 4 Friends 4 Friends 5 Status 5 Teachers & School
Supporters1 Family 1 Family 2 Yourself 2 Yourself3 Status 3 Status 4 Teachers & School 4 Friends5 Friends 5 Teachers & School
Gender Equality YES Gender Equality YESMedia Influence NO Media Influence NOPeer Pressure NO Peer Pressure YES
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