Methods of Research

Methods of Research
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Methods of Research
Abstract
The focus of this paper will be on how people choose between careers and will emphasize on factors that influence an individual while choosing a career. The study will concentrate on a research conducted on a sample of students and the objective and subjective factors that influence their decisions while choosing a career. These factors will also focus on the individual factors and other social factors that influence the decision making career selection process. The research will examine the theoretical background of ‘career’ and ‘choice’ and the decision making process of an individual in changing times. The focus will be on the two factors affecting the student’s career development; parental influence and university education.
Introduction
Career choice refers to as career preferences, decisions and orientations of an individual. Career is something everyone is associated with throughout its adulthood. Right career choice can be the most crucial thing in one’s life. Simply a job to earn livelihood is not termed as a career, but a job with the chances of development and promotion is a career. The study for a right career choice has been a topic that attracted many researchers. The reason for being the food for research is how academically brilliant students often fail because of wrong career choices made. Concepts like career counseling have emerged over time which is available for students at the university level and often the parents are influential in such counseling. Career guidance can be beneficial to the students in order to make decisions for their careers. (Cesinger, 2011)
Theoretical Background
Career choice theory was an application of the social learning theory presented by John D Krumboltz (Krumboltz, 1979; Krumboltz et al., 1976; Mitchell and Krumboltz, 1990). He in his various books written presented career choice as a decision making process in which learning experiences of an individual along with various genetic, environmental and social factors results in the outcomes that determine the career choices made (Krumboltz, 2009)
Krumboltz (1979) in his theory presented genetic, environmental factors and learning experiences that affect the decision making process. These genetic factors include genetic endowment (gender, race and physical appearance) and special abilities (inherited aptitude, intelligence, abilities etc.). These factors are subjective by nature and can be associated with individual behavior. The environmental factors influential on the decision making regarding the career choice includes social, cultural and economic factors such as family and community influence, university influence, counseling, monetary and social rewards, location, training and growth opportunities etc. These factors are objective factors for career choice. On the other hand the learning experiences can play a vital role in career decisions. Learning experiences as presented by Krumboltz can be instrumental (where reinforcement influence choices), associative (involves classical conditioning) and vicarious (influence by observation of real life). These factors result in outcomes for decision making. These include self observation, world generalization and task-approach skill which form the basis of career decision making (Krumboltz, 2009)
Many researches have identified the parents as being one of the strongest influences on students regarding their career choices. Silverman (1993) in his research suggests that the parents are the primary caregivers of children and affect them the most; therefore in their children’s education, their role is vital. He also advocated that the parents are the first role models of a child and their career decisions greatly affect a child. It was also noted that some parents even discourage students from entering in particular fields and influence them to make a career of their choice (Clutter, 2010)
Some researches emphasized that family influence and parental acceptance is a vital player of career decisions on a student. These researches emphasize the role of the father as a family influence towards the child. In cultures where family behaviors and patterns are seen in the way of living, unlike the Western culture of individualism, the parental exercise and influence over career choice of children is higher in such societies. It was seen that fathers are seen as a strong emotional and information support for their children. They are seen as the role models and inspire their children in terms of status, financial conditions and position. While on the other hand mothers are seen as the source of emotional support. (Özbilgin, Küskü & Erdoğmuş, 2005)
Research suggested that the high school and college students see individual factors such as their personal interests and inspirations, abilities, capabilities and aptitude as the main influence while career decision making. Some recommends that other factors such as parental, family and societal factors have little or no impact on the career choice of a student. (Ko et al., 2007). On the other hand some oppose this research and advocate the importance of not only parental influence but also see societal and socioeconomic factors as crucial influences. He suggested that students with a clearer understanding of the social and economic influences of the job market tend to analyze their career alternatives and perspectives in a better way and move towards their goals accordingly. (Clutter, 2010)
University education on the other hand is a bridge between the attainment of education required for career and placement in the job market. The university education of a student helps him to identify his abilities and mould them according to his future job needs. In order to pursue a career specific skills and practices are required which on-job training would not be able to develop. Such future career needs are catered by the university education which greatly influences the students and help them develop their career goals (Mutso, 2007)
Few researches discussed that the impact of university education is evidenced to go beyond the decision of attending a university or not. Vocational course or a special training, consultation or a conversation by a professor, training and other internship programs are all linked to future career success. These activities help a student develop a greater insight about his own abilities which leads to mature career decisions (Mutso, 2007)
Objectives of the Study
The objective of our study will be to identify factors which influence an individual’s decision regarding its career. The study will discuss the relationship between the student’s career choice and the parents’ career preference and educational level of the student. The study is based to identify the factors and causes at the parental level and educational level of a student that influences his career choices.
Hypothesis
Both parenting and university education will help students’ development.
Methodology
In this research data is collected on the basis of responses of the target population. In order to collect information an online questionnaire was made to identify responses of the target audience. Convenience sampling was used to rationalize data collection. It was a non-probability sampling, which indicates that data was obtained from those respondents who were currently available at the time of conducting the survey. This made data collection quite easy and inexpensive, which resulted in estimating all results effectively. Sample was identified on the basis of the scope and limitations of the research. Target population was university graduate students which were current HKU Medic...