Date Approved

7-8-2013

Embargo Period

3-3-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. Higher Education

Department

Educational Services, Administration, and Higher Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Sisco, Burton

Subject(s)

College majors

Disciplines

Higher Education

Abstract

The purposes of this study were (a) to investigate the decision-making styles of undecided students who are in the process of choosing a major at Rowan University, (b) to investigate students' reactions to making a real-life decision such as choosing a major, and (c) to determine if there is a significant relationship between students' decision-making styles and the characteristics of gender, ethnicity, and class level. The subjects in this study were undecided, full-time, freshman and sophomore students in the Exploratory Studies Program (ESP) at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, during the 2012-2013 academic year. A survey consisting of 59 Likert scale items was used to collect data on demographics, decision-making styles and reactions to the decision-making process. Data analysis suggests that undecided students are thinking logically and conducting thorough searches in the decision-making process of choosing a major. Data analysis also suggests that undecided students see the outcome of their major decision as being life-framing. A weak positive correlation was found between gender and students' level of agreement that they often procrastinate when making important decisions. There were no statistically significant correlations between decision-making and ethnicity or class level.

Download

Share

COinS