ERIC Number: EJ1027595
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 55
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-3831
The Process of Choosing What to Study: A Longitudinal Study of Upper Secondary Students' Identity Work When Choosing Higher Education
Holmegaard, Henriette Tolstrup; Ulriksen, Lars M.; Madsen, Lene Møller
Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, v58 n1 p21-40 2014
This paper presents the first results from a longitudinal qualitative study following 38 Danish students' choice of higher education. By using a narrative psychological framework it is shown how the choice of higher education is embedded in various dilemmas, making it difficult for the students to make meaningful choices. They believe the choice should be unique and individual and that it should correspond with who they are and wish to become. However, the analysis shows that choosing what to study after upper-secondary school is a complex ongoing and social process, rather than an isolated individual event. Implications of these results are discussed and the educational system is urged to provide room for and facilitate students' production of choice narratives.
Descriptors: Longitudinal Studies, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries, Self Concept, Higher Education, Majors (Students), Career Choice, Student Attitudes, Decision Making, Psychological Patterns, Social Psychology, Interviews, Personal Narratives
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Denmark

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