STEM Subject Choice: Factors that influence the decisions of Australian students entering Year 12

David Jeffries

STEM Subject Choice: Factors that influence the decisions of Australian students entering Year 12

Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

Research output: Types of Thesis › Doctoral thesis

Abstract

This mixed methods study investigated factors that influence students’ STEM subject enrolment choices using quantitative data from Australian samples of students who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). These analyses were followed by a qualitative study of the enrolment decisions of a different sample of senior secondary students in South Australia. This study builds on previous research that has identified individual characteristics such as gender, SES, ethnicity, career aspirations, and the influences of peers and teachers on STEM educational decisions. School level factors, such as average school SES and gender balance, have also been considered.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	Flinders University, College of Education
Supervisors/Advisors	Conner, Lindsey, Advisor, External person
Publication status	Published - Nov 2019

Keywords

STEM education
senior secondary students
subject selection

Disciplines

Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Science and Mathematics Education

Access to Document

https://theses.flinders.edu.au/view/5c79c429-aa41-4677-8552-9aada6c482c2/1

Cite this

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title = "STEM Subject Choice: Factors that influence the decisions of Australian students entering Year 12",

abstract = " This mixed methods study investigated factors that influence students{\textquoteright} STEM subject enrolment choices using quantitative data from Australian samples of students who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). These analyses were followed by a qualitative study of the enrolment decisions of a different sample of senior secondary students in South Australia. This study builds on previous research that has identified individual characteristics such as gender, SES, ethnicity, career aspirations, and the influences of peers and teachers on STEM educational decisions. School level factors, such as average school SES and gender balance, have also been considered.",

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author = "David Jeffries",

note = "An advancing global economy and rapidly developing digital technologies signal the necessity to develop citizens who are adequately equipped with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and the associated abilities to think critically and creatively for solving problems effectively.",

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N2 - This mixed methods study investigated factors that influence students’ STEM subject enrolment choices using quantitative data from Australian samples of students who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). These analyses were followed by a qualitative study of the enrolment decisions of a different sample of senior secondary students in South Australia. This study builds on previous research that has identified individual characteristics such as gender, SES, ethnicity, career aspirations, and the influences of peers and teachers on STEM educational decisions. School level factors, such as average school SES and gender balance, have also been considered.

AB - This mixed methods study investigated factors that influence students’ STEM subject enrolment choices using quantitative data from Australian samples of students who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). These analyses were followed by a qualitative study of the enrolment decisions of a different sample of senior secondary students in South Australia. This study builds on previous research that has identified individual characteristics such as gender, SES, ethnicity, career aspirations, and the influences of peers and teachers on STEM educational decisions. School level factors, such as average school SES and gender balance, have also been considered.

KW - STEM education

KW - senior secondary students

KW - subject selection

M3 - Doctoral thesis

ER -