Factors related to the Decision to Pursue Further Education Among Students in the Home Economics Program at the Vocational Certificate Level (Por Wor Chor) of Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College
Abstract:
This research aims to investigate 1) the personal factors of students enrolled in the Home Economics program at the Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Chor) level at Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College, 2) the decision-making process regarding further education among these students, and 3) The relationship between personal factors and the decision to pursue further education among students in the Home Economics program at the Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Chor) level of Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College. The sample consisted of 200 students currently studying in the Home Economics program at Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College during the first semester of the academic year 2024. Stratified random sampling was employed. The research instrument used was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square test.
The results revealed that 1) Overall, students placed a high level of importance on their decision to continue their studies at the Vocational Certificate level in the Home Economics program at Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College. When considering each dimension individually, all seven factors were rated at high to very high levels. The factors, ranked from highest to lowest average score, were: instructors, college environment, student development activities, instructional media and materials, career opportunities, curriculum, and college image. 2) Regarding the relationship between personal factors and the decision to pursue further education among students in the Home Economics Program at the Vocational Certificate level of Nakhon Si Thammarat Vocational College. The results can be concluded as follows: 2.1) Gender and cumulative GPA did not have a statistically significant relationship with students decision to pursue further education. 2.2) Age and parental monthly income were found to have statistically significant relationships with certain aspects of the
decision-making process. Specifically, age was related to the use of instructional media and materials; the program of study chosen was related to career opportunities; and parental income was associated with perceptions of the colleges image. All these relationships were statistically significant at the 0.05 level.