Students’ Practices And Perceptions Regarding Discipline Selection Based On Parents’ Advice And Its Impact On Academic Achievement In Higher Education

Abstract

The current study focuses on students’ practices and perceptions regarding discipline selection based on parents' advice and its impact on academic achievement in higher education. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of subject selection based on parents' preferences on academic achievement. The hypothesis of the study was that there is no significant association between students' academic achievement and the selection of subjects based on their parents’ advice. This mixed-method study employed purposive sampling for the qualitative component, utilizing a targeted recruitment approach through institutional contacts to reach relevant participants. For the quantitative component, a proportionate simple random sampling technique was used. The sample consisted of 15 participants for the qualitative part and 382 participants for the quantitative part. Phenomenological and survey research designs were used for the qualitative and quantitative components, respectively. The target population included 6247 students from BS (7th & 8th semesters) across 10 higher education institutions (HEIs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Word cloud and thematic analysis were used for the qualitative data, while Pearson product-moment correlation (r) and linear regression were applied as inferential statistics for the quantitative data. The findings revealed a weak positive correlation between subject selection based on parents' advice and academic attainment, indicating a weak impact. The study recommends that parents should recognize and respect their children's autonomy in making major subject selections, allowing them to take ownership of their academic journey and fostering a sense of responsibility and individuality.

Keywords:  Perceptions, Bachelor of Science/ studies (BS), parents’ advice, Aptitude, Academic Achievement