Factors shaping the choice in chemistry: insights from undergraduate students within a societal context†

IF 2.6 2区 教育学 Q1 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Shirly Avargil, Greta Sterimbaum and Hafeeza Dahley-Zoabi
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Abstract

There is a decline in recent years in the number of students studying chemistry in higher education. Many studies have been conducted on elementary and high school students' choice with fewer focusing on the factors that influence undergraduate students to choose to major in chemistry. Research also indicates that belonging to a minority group influences the choice of pursuing science. Despite a higher percentage of Israeli Arab students studying chemistry in high school compared to Israeli Jewish students, the percentage of those who continue to study chemistry in higher education is small. They also lack sufficient representation in academia and industry. Analyzing the similarities and differences in the perceptions of Israeli Jewish and Arab students may shed light on the societal aspect and its role in shaping chemistry participation. This led us to ask the following questions concerning undergraduate chemistry students: (1) What are the factors that influence undergraduate chemistry students to choose a chemistry career? (2) What are the differences between Jewish and Arab undergraduate chemistry students in choosing chemistry career, if any? (3) How do the factors that influence chemistry career choice correlate, if at all? Guided by the social cognitive career theory (SCCT), we used quantitative and qualitative methods to identify and analyze factors and categories. These factors and categories were related to personal and environmental themes and influenced third-year chemistry undergraduate students to choose a chemistry career. 117 third-year undergraduate chemistry students took part in this research. The findings indicate that there are six major factors in choosing a career in chemistry by undergraduate students, which are divided into two themes, a personal theme, and an environmental theme. Our study shows that ‘self-efficacy – scientific/chemistry learning’ is secondary to students’ desire to complete an academic degree. The influence of their friends and family and extrinsic motivation related to rewards/status/prestige are more influential as well. When exploring differences between Israeli Jewish and Israeli Arab societies, our findings revealed variations in the factors influencing career choices. Our findings have practical implications for educational institutions aiming to foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment in chemistry education.

影响化学选择的因素:社会背景下本科生的见解
近年来,高等教育中学习化学的学生人数有所下降。许多研究都是针对中小学生的选择,而较少关注影响本科生选择化学专业的因素。研究还表明,属于少数群体会影响学生对理科的选择。尽管与以色列犹太学生相比,以色列阿拉伯学生在高中学习化学的比例较高,但在 高等教育中继续学习化学的比例却很小。他们在学术界和工业界也缺乏足够的代表性。分析以色列犹太学生和阿拉伯学生在观念上的异同,可能会对社会方面及其在影响 化学参与方面的作用有更多的了解。因此,我们提出了以下有关化学本科生的问题:1.影响化学专业本科生选择化学职业的因素有哪些?2.犹太裔和阿拉伯裔化学本科生在选择化学职业时有哪些差异?3.影响化学职业选择的因素之间是否存在关联?在社会认知职业理论(SCCT)的指导下,我们采用定量和定性的方法来识别和分析各种因素和类别。这些因素和类别与个人和环境主题相关,影响着化学专业三年级本科生选择化学职业。117 名化学专业本科三年级学生参与了这项研究。研究结果表明,影响本科生选择化学职业的主要因素有六个,分为两个主题,即个人主题和环境主题。我们的研究表明,"自我效能感--科学/化学学习 "是学生完成学业愿望的次要因素。亲朋好友的影响以及与奖励/地位/声望相关的外在动机对他们的影响也更大。在探讨以色列犹太人社会和以色列阿拉伯人社会之间的差异时,我们的研究结果表明,影响职业选择的因素各不相同。我们的研究结果对于旨在在化学教育中营造多样化和包容性学习环境的教育机构具有实际意义。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.80
自引率
26.70%
发文量
64
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: The journal for teachers, researchers and other practitioners in chemistry education.
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