Re-Evaluating the Postgraduate Students' Course Selection Decision Making Process in the Digital Era

Autor/inn/en	Towers, Angela; Towers, Neil
Titel	Re-Evaluating the Postgraduate Students' Course Selection Decision Making Process in the Digital Era
Quelle	In: Studies in Higher Education, 45 (2020) 6, S.1133-1148 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0307-5079
DOI	10.1080/03075079.2018.1545757
Schlagwörter	Graduate Students; Decision Making; Student Attitudes; Foreign Students; Student Mobility; Educational Cooperation; International Cooperation; Computer Mediated Communication; Group Discussion; Information Sources; Information Technology; Family Influence; Peer Influence; Foreign Countries; College Choice; Social Media; Social Networks; Graduate Study; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Decision-making; Entscheidungsfindung; Schülerverhalten; Mobility; Schüler; Schülerin; Mobilität; Education; cooperation; Kooperation; Internationale Kooperation; Internationale Zusammenarbeit; Computerkonferenz; Gruppendiskussion; Information source; Informationsquelle; Informationstechnologie; Ausland; Studienortwahl; Soziale Medien; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Großbritannien
Abstract	The paper explores how postgraduate students make course selection decisions in the digital era. An exploratory study with seven postgraduate student focus groups (UK, EU and International) gained a detailed insight into this important change. The availability of information, from an increased use of digital media had a significant impact on Higher Education postgraduate decision-making. The results found a circular decision-making approach with evidence of rational and emotional decisions where students do not always commence with a wide choice set. Online forums, Word-of-Mouth/electronic Word-of-Mouth from past/existing students, family and friends are important influencers, as students considered postgraduate study from one month to four years prior to starting a course. We identified 5 different application pattern categories, together with highlighting the importance of evaluating the students' pre-purchase experience during the application process. The research highlights the need for universities to continually engage during the decision-making process and to evaluate pre-purchase experiences. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01