The influence of family background and individual attributes on students' educational preferences and choices

Abstract

This paper is based on a study on educational preferences of students from three educational stages. The three educational stages are: form five students in the states of Kedah and·Penang, Malaysia, first and final year undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. Data were collected from three samples of approximately 500 students. Data were analyzed to determine the influence of family background and individual attributes on students' educational preferences and choices. The two most important variables influencing students' educational preferences and choices are academic performance and father's education. Other than these variables, gender, ethnicity, father's occupation and mother's education show some influence on students' educational preferences and choices.