Dissertation project by Carolin Eitemüller

Investigation of the influencing factors on course selection behaviour in the subject of chemistry

Chemistry is considered one of the most unpopular subjects and is dropped by the majority of students as early as the start of upper secondary school (Ministry of Schools and Further Education of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, 2015). Given the declining interest among students in scientific careers and the high dropout rates in these subjects (Heublein, Richter, Schmelzer & Sommer, 2012), one approach of current research is to better understand students’ decision-making process so that the insights can be used to find ways to support them.

In their expectancy-value model, Eccels and Wigfield (2002) assume that performance-related choice decisions, such as course choices in upper secondary school, can be traced back to students’ individual expectations of success and the subjective values they associate with the decision. In this context, subjective values relate to how enjoyable, personally important, useful or costly a particular outcome is perceived to be.

Against this background, the aim of this doctoral project was to determine which motives are important for choosing or dropping chemistry as a subject in upper secondary school and which factors can be identified as predictors of success in chemistry. In a quasi-longitudinal section over three grades (9th-12th grade), the students’ interest, subject knowledge, chemistry grade, self-concept and career aspirations were recorded at two measurement points one year apart on the basis of the expectancy-value model.

The results of this study show that interest in chemistry has the strongest predictive power in terms of foreseeing a decision on the choice of course, while students’ beliefs about their low levels of ability are the main reason for their dropping out. These frequently fall short of their actual performance. Alongside students’ interests and aptitudes, their career and study aspirations are one of the most influential predictors in the choice to study chemistry. Unfortunately for the subject, the number of students with career aspirations in chemistry is nevertheless very low.
 

Project duration:
2012 – 2015

Supervisor:
Maik Walpuski

Dissertation:
Carolin Hülsmann

Cooperation partner
AG Prof. Dr Elke Sumfleth, Essen

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