Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework employed the used of drawings/diagrams to explain the
interrelationships between variables. These variables and other related factors are put in boxes
with arrows indicating the interconnections between them (Orodho, 2009). The conceptual
framework for this study was developed from the reviewed related literature and the theoretical
framework. This study will focus on the factors influencing students in choosing the course
Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
The figure below shows the independent and dependent variables of the study. And the
arrow connecting the boxes that contains the independent and dependent variables determined
the flow of the study. The independent variables of this study are the socio-demographic profile
of the respondents such as age, gender and civil status. While the dependent variable is the
factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in Criminology such as
interest in the field, personality, influential people, change in major field and undecided factor.
Independent Variable
SocioDemographic
Profile of the
Respondents:
 Age
 Gender
 Civil Status
Dependent Variable
Factors Influencing
Students in
Choosing the
Course BS
Criminology




Interest in the Field
Personality
Influential People
Change in Major
Field
 Undecided Factor
1
Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Conceptual Framework of the Study
2
Statement of the Problem
The study will aim to know the factors influencing students in choosing the course
Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Specifically, it will seek out to answer the following questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Civil Status
2. What are the factors influencing students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology in
terms of:
2.1 Interest in the Field
2.2 Personality
2.3 Influential People
2.4 Change in Major Field
2.5 Undecided Factor
3. What are the implication can be drawn from the findings of the study?
Significance of the Study
The study will attempt to assess the factors influencing students in choosing the course
Bachelor of Science in Criminology. The researchers believed that the findings of this study will
be beneficial to the following:
LCCI Administration. The findings of the study would help the administration in
reawakening their incentives to provide a career education program as well as providing time,
funds, and tools to develop a career education program.
3
Teachers. The findings of this study would also inspire every instructor to assist their
students in understanding the professional implications of the content of the curriculum.
Future Criminology Students. The findings of this study will help them and this will
serve as their guide and would give them additional information about the factors influencing
students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology. Thus, this would allow them to
evaluate themselves for them to choose what profession they really want.
Parents. The result of this study will provide an insight to the parents and could provide
an opportunity for them to guide their children and support them on what course they want to
pursue in college.
Future Researchers. This study would be significant to the future researchers to get
information, idea and have knowledge from the findings derived from this study during their
study related to the factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in
Criminology.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study will aim to assess the factors influencing students in choosing the course
Bachelor of Science in Criminology. The respondents will be the first-year criminology students
from Lanao Central College, Inc. and there will be fifty (50) respondents. The sociodemographic profile of the respondents will be investigated. The factors influencing students in
choosing the course Bachelor of Science in Criminology will also be investigated. The study will
only deal with the factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in
Criminology. Not all criminology students will be able to participate and answer the survey
questionnaire due to having a limited number of respondents who can participate.
4
Other limitations of this study will be beyond the researcher’s control like the accuracy
and honesty of the respondents in answering the questionnaire. Another limitation is the time
element, the respondents may not have luxury of time to fully understand the implications of
their answers. Moreover, a hundred percent participation of the respondents may not be attained
for varied reasons. As a consequence, the findings of the obtained data may be influenced by the
results.
Definitions of Terms
To ensure clarity and understanding through a common framework, the researchers drew
up a list of words that need to be conceptually and operationally defined.
BS Criminology – This refers to a four-year course that is geared towards careers in
police administration, corrections, scientific crime detection, jail management and penology, fire
protection and industrial security (Indeed, 2020). In this study, this refers to the field that the
respondents are studying.
Career – This refers to the profession that individuals might choose when they want to
pursue in the future. It is the job or profession that someone does for a long period of their life
(Oxford Dictionary). In this study, it refers to the future job that the students may have in the
field of criminology.
Change in Major Field – This refers to switching to a different area of study within your
academic program (Oxford Dictionary). In this study, it is one of the various factors that
influence students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Criminology – This refers to the study of crime and criminal behavior, informed by
principles of sociology and other non-legal fields, including psychology, economics, statistics,
and anthropology (Indeed, 2020).
5
Criminology Students – This refers to students who major in criminology that learn
about the causes of crime related to biology, psychology, or social factors like socioeconomic
status. These majors examine crime in different places, ranging from neighborhoods to other
countries (Indeed, 2019). In this study, criminology students from Lanao Central College, Inc.
will be the respondents.
Field – This refers to a broad area of study and research that covers multiple subjects or
disciplines. In academic contexts, students may study a particular field through a major or degree
program, and faculty members and researchers may specialize in a specific field to advance
understanding and knowledge within that area (Indeed, 2020). In this study, criminology is the
field that is will be focused.
Influence – This refers to the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to
happen (Britannica, 2019). In this study, it tends to show how students affect their decisionmaking in choosing a degree program through the influence of others.
Influential People – This refers to the individuals who have made significant
contributions to the field of education and have had a lasting impact on students, educators, and
educational institutions (Britannica). In this study, it is one of the various factors that influence
students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Interest – This refers to the feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to
something or someone (Merriam Webster). In this study, it is the student’s interest in choosing a
program that is triggered their decision-making.
Interest in the Field – This refers to a student's level of engagement, motivation, and
passion for a particular area of study (Oxford Dictionary). In this study, it is one of the various
factors that influence students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
6
Personality – This refers to the set of traits, behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics that
are unique to an individual student (Indeed, 2015). In this study, it is one of the various factors
that influence students in choosing Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Undecided Factor – This refers to students who have not yet chosen a specific major or
area of study. In this study, it is one of the various factors that influence students in choosing
Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter discusses the different reviews of literature and studies founded by the
researchers to have some relevance to the present investigation. These literatures and research
works reviewed to serve as bases for the analysis of the data gathered for this study. This is
divided into two parts: related literature and related studies.
Related Literature
Criminology Definition and History
Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behavior, informed by principles of
sociology and other non-legal fields, including psychology, economics, statistics, and
anthropology. Criminologists examine a variety of related areas, including: characteristics of
people who commit crimes, reasons why people commit crimes, effects of crime on individuals
and communities and methods for preventing crime.
Origins of Criminology
The roots of criminology trace back to a movement to reform criminal justice and penal
systems more than 200 years ago. The first collection and use of crime statistics in the 19th
century then laid the groundwork for generations of increasingly sophisticated tools and
methods, leading to our modern use of descriptive statistics, case studies, typologies, and
predictive analytics.
18th-century origins of criminal theory
Cesare Beccaria’s “On Crime and Punishments,” published in 1764, called for fitting the
punishment to the severity of the crimes, as explained by the National Criminal Justice
Reference Service.
8

Punishments for crimes should be “public, prompt, necessary, the minimum possible
under the given circumstances, and established by law.”

Punishments are intended to deter the offender from further criminal activity.

Severity is based on the level of harm caused by the offense rather than the intent of the
offender.
The legal reference website JRank highlights the work of Beccaria and Jeremy Benthem:
The motivation for people’s choices is to seek pleasure or avoid pain. Punishment for a crime
should deter potential choices to break the law by ensuring that the pain of potential punishment
is greater than the pleasure derived from committing the crime. This idea spurred the first efforts
in the U.S. and Europe to codify and standardize the law.
Mid-20th century development of modern criminology
The mid-20th century development of “modern” criminology involved seeking to
understand crime’s causes by studying sociological, psychological, and economic conditions.
The American Law Institute’s work on the Model Penal Code was a 10-year effort completed in
1962. The code established new standards of criminal liability that considered the mental
elements of crime.
The code served as a model for penal code revisions in several states. It was also
instrumental in charting the federal penal code for the first time. The code inspired other efforts
to reform criminal law through criminology research application.
“New Criminology” and the impact of social upheaval on crime
In the 20th century, new approaches to criminology focused on the causes of crime, such
as conflicts between social and economic classes leading to social upheaval, as JRank explains.
9
Social-process criminology emphasizes criminal behavior as something people learn through
interaction with others, usually in small groups.
In contrast, control theory focuses on training people to behave appropriately by
encouraging law-abiding behavior. Control theory’s basis is the belief that personal bonds give
rise to our internal controls, such as conscience and guilt, and our external controls, such as
shame, that deter us from breaking the law.
A multidisciplinary approach to criminology
In their research, criminologists consider many perspectives on crime’s causes and
effects. This multidisciplinary approach of criminologists accepts there is no single answer to
why people commit crimes. JRank notes attempts to control bad behavior date back to the
earliest civilizations. Today, factors may be biological, psychological, economic, or social.
Criminals are motivated by greed, anger, jealousy, pride, and other emotions. They seek material
gain; they want control, revenge, or power.
Criminology and the legal perspective
Criminologists study crime as an illegal action society punishes through the
government’s legal system. Researchers focus on the causes, prevention, and correction of crime
generally. By contrast, the legal industry’s perspective of crime emphasizes specific crimes and
punishments governed by statutes and regulations, as well as established legal processes.
The legal definition of a crime is an offense against public law, as UpCounsel explains.
To qualify as a crime, the offense must be punishable, whether by fine, loss of freedom, or other
method. Criminologists have broadened the definition of crime to include conduct that doesn’t
violate existing law, as JRank reports. This includes economic exploitation, racial discrimination,
and unsafe or unhealthy work environments (Maryville, 2017).
10
O’Hare (2012) concluded that studying for a new qualification can often be one of the
most effective ways of boosting your career prospects, whether by enhancing or by equipping
you with professional qualifications that will enable you to move into a new line of work. Some
factors should be considered before signing up to a course, ensuring that you find the right one,
theories and concepts, whereas vocational courses teach the hands-on skills relating to a specific
profession such as nursing. One of the things students should consider is whether to choose an
academic or a vocational course. And often the best way to get a feel for a course and the
benefits it is likely to have is to organize chats with former students.
This literature is related to our research study because it discusses some hints that a
student should understand and know. This article helps students in deciding what course to take,
if the students will focus on vocational course or academic course. It discusses the difference
between vocational courses which is focused on enhancing skills while in educational courses
focus is on bachelor, masters’ degrees, theories and concepts.
Smith (2010) suggested that some factors students can consider in decision making.
First factor is knowing your natural talents. In this case we should choose a course that fits your
talents, a course that you can work on easily. Next is work style, this means that you should
examine yourself about how you work or study. He said that in choosing a career does not
necessarily mean you have to re-evaluate down the line based on your long-term objectives.
Smith’s article is somehow related to this research study because it shows how students
should examine themselves. Students should more likely to prioritize their self-decision than
others. He showed that students should pick a course that they are good with or a course that they
can put their heart on. Self-chosen course should prevail.
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Ogowewo (2010), explained that the choice of career was gender biased and the factors
that influenced the students’ choice of career were: interest, life ambition, challenging nature of
the career, prestige attached to profession, intellectual ability, high salary potential, and prospects
of job opportunity. He also said that school counselors should employ their expertise to
determine the aptitude and interest of students in the career choice.
This article embodies that there are a lot of factors a student can consider in choosing a
course. It explains that students should deeply examine themselves about the interest, their
ability and skills. And also, they should have a study on about the state of the economy. What
courses are in need, and if their course preferred has a great help in future career path.
Davidson (2009), said that choosing a career is one of the most influential decisions in
life you make in your life. Unlike a job that is used to solely pay bills, a career is a pursuit that
normally requires a lot of time and emotional investment on top of the need to provide for
yourself and a possible family. Choosing a career can be difficult and a number of different
factors play into the decision of what career to pursue.
The message of this article is related to our study because it explains the decision in
choosing a career path. A student should not take decision making easily. They should give time
in deciding what course to take. Career is what a student will have after graduating college. This
is about the profession a student can have in the near future.
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Commissioner Jenifer Jardin-Manalili
(2011), believed that students looking to be hired immediately upon graduation should steer
away from courses like nursing, criminology, and education. Instead, they would do well to go
into fields like: Optometry, nutrition and dietetics, guidance counseling, social work, medical
technology, pharmacy, library science, psychology and dentistry. Based on their findings, there
12
was an oversupply of licensed professionals buying for jobs in the fields of nursing, education
and criminology.
This literature is related to this thesis because it helps us choose the right course for us. It
also tells us the different courses that are needed nowadays. It states that nursing, education and
criminology has an oversupply of licensed professionals.
Commission on Higher Education (2009), observed that as many as 142,000 or 25%, of
all graduates took up business administration and related courses. Medical related courses are the
next most popular category, with about 110,000, or 20 percent. The other popular courses are
information technology (IT), education or teacher training, and engineering. CHEd data over the
past decade showed the same popular courses among college graduates. On the other hand, the
least popular courses based on the number of graduates include agriculture-related courses,
religion, home economics and general courses.
It is somehow related to this thesis because it tells the top courses that are taken up by the
graduates. It also gives us an idea on what are the least popular courses. With this, we can choose
what course or jobs are really needed.
Santos (2009), found that the students consider more carefully economic factors in times
of distress and financial difficulties. These factors include job opportunities to supplement their
income, accommodation costs and family home proximity.
This literature is somehow related to this research because it focuses on one factor that
can affect the choice of course which is to consider economic factors. This factor can help
financial difficulties.
13
Fermoso (2010), noted that whenever the economy is on downturn, as it has been
worldwide in the past two years, people begin to realized that some jobs are more desirable than
others because they are more suitable.
Recent university graduates who picked their degrees based on projected income alone
have found out that, at this juncture, job security is an even more important criterion in course
selection. This article wants to inform that many people choose the wrong course for them. It
also tells that job security is one of the important criterions in choosing the right course for us.
Limpahan (2014), emphasized that college is all about preparing for the real world, and
choosing the right college course is the best preparation one can have. Why make a big thing of a
college course? Well, most students go to school to secure a bright future for themselves and
their families at the same time, a college course can predetermine the professional identity one
may have for life.
The article written by Limpahan is related to this thesis because it emphasizes how
choosing a college course is important. This is the best preparation for our future. One can secure
a bright future if they choose the right course for them.
Changing in major fields
Changing course has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, students may
change courses because they recognize some courses as more interesting or have more career
opportunities. Acquiring new academic interests or career goals can trigger students to change
majors. New fields of study provide them with a more direct career path. However, if students
change their majors, they may face both academic and economic obstacles. For example, in
many programs students may not be able to transfer their course work to the new program, so
14
students will pay additional tuition in the new major to move to the graduation and postgraduation employment market. Need to be delayed.
Higher education institutions are facing some challenges, which demand a deeper
understanding of the reasons that influence students’ decisions to change their majors (Dickson,
2010). Positive and negative reasons influence students to change majors. Some students
appeared to be driven to change their major because of positive factors about the new major,
rather than negative factors related to the old major (Al Khateeb, 2012).
Dietz (2010) shared students change majors for reasons of interest or opportunity. John
(2000) mentioned some students change majors because the new majors they chose captured
their interest, motivated them, made them happy and allowed them to use their strength.
According to Mohsen (2013) students do not usually make a change in major except after being
disappointed with their current major. Lafy (2010) added many students do not attend majors
they like or fit in because of wrong information they get or miss. Evidence suggests that students
miss out on good major selection that suits them in part because they are unaware of these
opportunities (Hoxby& Turner, 2013).
Interest in field Personality
Students should consider their personal interests when choosing a career because: 1)
student would perform better in fields that interest them; 2) Students who choose careers that
interest them would perform better; students who choose fields that are related to their personal
interests are more likely to succeed; and 3) student may experience greater satisfaction and
happiness when working in their field of interest.
Personal interest refers to the student’s personal interest in their chosen professions
(Liaw, 2017). According to Holland’s theory of “Career Typology,” individuals choose career
15
environments that best fit their personality and interest (Holland, 1966). Personal interests are
learned from parents, in school, from friends, and from your life-long experiences. Interest plays
very important role in motivating people to do the right things that they like.
A very strong and motivating interest in anything will boost the ability to do it
wholeheartedly. Studies done in many countries and in different cultures came up with different
results; for example, personality types and interest is a factor that impacts career choices made
by students in Kenya (Ahmed et al., 2017).
Ahmed (2014) and Al-Miskry, Bakar, and Mohamed (2009) in their research article gave
great importance to the interest of students in making the choice of their career. They noted that
interest in a career is according to the pattern of likes and dislikes of students. The indifference in
activities related to career and occupation predicts career choice among students. Tekke, Ghani,
and Kurt (2015) discuss different stages in behavior change and the manner of thinking of an
individual while picking a career.
Influential people/family influence
The impact of parents on undergraduate career choices is a significant decision made by
parents for their children. Parents play an important role in this case because they exert pressure
on their children's career choices in a variety of ways, including direct inheritance and the
requirement of apprenticeship or role modeling.
Walmsley, Wilson, and Morgan (2010), found that personal relationships, including
parental relationships had a significant influence on a student's major selection. In addition to
personal relationships there are several other factors thought to contribute to academic major
selection. Arcidiacono, Hotz, and Kang (2012) discovered that when surveying students about
their major decision, and an alternative major decision, 7.5% of students surveyed would have
16
changed their major based on the amount of money they assumed the alternative major earned.
Exposure to the major selection process may begin for some when they step foot on a college
campus, but for others the process begins much earlier.
Dietrich and Kracke (2009) conducted a study primarily to determine the value of
mechanisms to test parent involvement in career development of 359 German citizens aged 15 to
18 years old. Participants were surveyed on their parent’s involvement in their post-secondary
education options. Conclusions showed that most of the students were supported by their parents
in their respective career choices.
Ibrahim (2017) revealed that family members have the highest contributions in
influencing students to the profession of medical laboratory science since the family is usually
who provided financial support to them. Eremie and Okwulehie (2018) indicated that factors
such as environment, opportunity, and personality can influence the choice of career among
secondary school students. In terms of environmental factors, it was discovered that family,
socioeconomic status, and peer groups have a significant impact on student’s career choices,
while opportunity factors such as education and mentorship, as well as personality factors such
as students' interests, values, and skills, had an impact on their choices course program.
Identically, Dagang and de Mesa (2017) identified the results which point to the strong
influence of parents on their children’s choice of tertiary school. It is deeply rooted in the
consciousness of the Filipino people the respect for elders, hence the strong influence of parents
on children decision. In Filipino families’ children are financially dependent on their parents,
hence their submission to their parents’ decision, thus explaining the moderate influence of
others such as peers, friends, and relatives. Another factor was the affordability of tuition,
followed by scholarships.
17
Related Studies
Julie Trebilcock and Clare Griffiths (2021). In their study entitled “Student
motivations for studying criminology: A narrative inquiry”, they said that the number of students
studying criminology at university has significantly increased. Yet, criminology students have
been all but ignored in research, despite being key stakeholders and ambassadors in the
criminological enterprise. Drawing on the analysis of 12 in-depth interviews, we explore why
students are motivated to study criminology and how these motivations are linked to their past
experiences and future aspirations. Using a narrative inquiry, three types of stories emerged
through our analysis: stories about (1) building on existing interests, (2) understanding the ‘self’,
and (3) securing ‘justice’ and ‘helping’ others. The stories students tell about their exposure to
‘crime’ help motivate their decision to study criminology, while their engagement with the
discipline, enables them to make sense of these previous experiences and of themselves.
Ahmed, Sharif, and Ahmad (2017) which revealed that interest in the subject has a
strong and positive influence while the ease in grades, financial outcomes, and future job
opportunities had a minor impact on students’ decision for field and subject. It was also stated
that the career choice of the students was also influenced by the level of their social status,
financial resources, affordability, and future employability.
Hoai, Thi, and Thanh (2016) in their study factors influencing students’ choice of
accounting as a major show that social norm has a great influence on students’ choice of major
including advice and orientation of acquaintances, friends, teachers, parents which had a
significant influence on their decisions in the selection of specific discipline. It also revealed
some significant differences between average level of male and female students through
18
perceptions of input scores, major pressure, and suitability for the people good at math, job
availability, average income, and advancement opportunity.
Ruben M. Gambulao Jr. and Dempsey O. Depayso (2015). In their study entitled
“Factors Affecting the Enrollment of Criminology at King’s College of the Philippines”, they
said that college enrollment is an important decision for all aspiring students of higher education.
This study investigates the factors affecting the enrollment of freshmen college students at
King’s College of the Philippines-College of Criminal Justice Education (KCP-CCJE). Data has
been collected through questionnaire. Mean and percentage were used to determine the main
reasons of the respondents. Selected factors were ranked by the respondents from their most
reasons and least reason from 1-10. The sample size was 191, consisting of freshman students
who have enrolled during the first semester of Academic year 2020-2021. Results showed that
academic program, college reputation, and influence from others are the most reason of the
respondents in enrolling in the college.
John Derrick R. Colico, Richerd Raven C. Panaligan and Jay Ahr B. Vargas (2015).
In their study entitled “Factors Influencing Program Choice of Female Criminology Students of
Bat StateU Main Campus I”, they said that the main purpose of this study was to determine the
factors that influenced program choice of female criminology students of Batangas State
University Main Campus. To accomplish the objectives of this study, the descriptive research
design was used. Data needed to attain the objectives of the study were based on the respondents’
final grades in the last three semesters (first and second semester of AY 2013-2014, and first
semester of AY 2014-2015), and responses to the researcher-constructed questionnaire. Forty
second year female students enrolled in BS Criminology participated in the study.
19
Statistical tests used were percentage, weighted mean, ranking and one-way analysis of
variance. Conclusions drawn from the findings of the study follow. The second year female BS
Criminology students strongly agree that personal interest and career opportunities influence
their choice to enroll in criminology program, agree on the family as a factor, and disagree on
peer groups and financial capability as factors in their choice of the criminology program. Most
of the respondents have very satisfactory academic performance. There are no significant
differences in all the factors, namely, personal interest, family, peer groups, financial capability,
and career opportunities influencing program choice of the female sophomore criminology
students.
The career orientation and enhancement activity utilizing symposium or seminar could
promote the criminology program and ensure retention of the students in the program.
Introduction Choosing a college major is one of the difficult decisions that students have to make
in their lifetime. It can be said that the choice of what to take up in college would determine the
career path that students would pursue in their adolescence. The senior year in high school can be
considered as a period of uncertainty among students relative to the choice of program they
would enroll in after graduation. They have to decide whether or not they would be majoring in
the areas of business, sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities. Nevertheless, their
decision can be influenced by several factors. In some instances, they would choose a program
which is trending at the time. For example, in the Philippines during the 1990s, most of the
college students were taking up either nursing or computer science. The trend was based on the
need of other countries for nurses and IT experts. Another factor can be peer influences. It cannot
be denied that there are high school students who would choose a degree which is similar to that
of their friends. This could be because they have been used to being with their friends and they
20
would not want to be separated from them even after high school graduation. Aside from these
two factors, family can also be an influence. There are college students who would say that their
family members chose the program they are enrolled in. This is especially true in families where
most of the members are lawyers, doctors, teachers, and members of the military or law
enforcement. In this case, they would want their children to pursue similar careers. Gender can
also be another factor. Several studies have shown that gender sometimes determines college
major choice.
As mentioned by Porter and Umbach (2006), some have argued that gender differences in
student major choice are the result of socialization in traditional gender roles. It has been
suggested that women are more likely to select majors that have been traditionally dominated by
women. Researchers have explained that women tend to choose disciplines like education,
nursing and English because of their female gender role orientation. These realities prompted the
researchers to conduct a study aimed at determining the factors which influenced female students
to take the criminology program. It cannot be denied that this program has been widely viewed to
be a man’s domain; hence, the researchers attempted to investigate why these female students
became interested in a program stereotyped to be for men. As stated by Beringa (2011), a
graduate of criminology is expected to be prepared for careers in crime prevention, law
enforcement, scientific crime detection, and correctional administration. In addition, graduates of
criminology are also inclined to have careers in criminal justice and public sector. The most
common career path that a criminology graduate takes is in the field of law enforcement,
particularly, in the Philippine National Police. It is also worth mentioning that the course B.S.
Criminology is a good preparatory course for those who want to take up Bachelor of Laws. Many
criminologists go to law schools and eventually become successful lawyers. Furthermore, as
21
criminology students, these researchers became interested in conducting this study, with focus on
female students, in order to find out the factors that served as determinants in their program
choice. They hoped to contribute to the academic community in terms of ensuring that the
program would encourage not only male students but also female students to enroll and finish the
degree.
SJ Lee (2011) asserted that the significant factors used to choose colleges among in-state,
out-of-state and international students might not be the same. Tuition and financial aid are
different for each of these groups. Job opportunities during and after graduation are not the same.
Also, the reputation recognition of a college might be different internationally than
domestically. This could affect job opportunities for students in their own countries.
In accordance to this research, it is assumed that the significance of the various factors is
not the same among these three groups of students.
Edwards and Quinter (2011) stated that the main objective of this study was to find
the factors influencing career choice. According to Mr. Edwards and Quinter, the main objective
of this research is to find the different factors that are affecting the course choice. If the students
know the different factors that affects their course choice it will be a great help for them to know
who should consider the most.
Lee and Chatfield (2010), identified that the factors that influence the appropriate
factors for which most students affected with. The results are also beneficial to colleges in the
development of appropriate promotion of courses; to differentiate themselves in a meaningful
way to potential students over the world.
22
Relate to this research study, the study of Lee and Chatfield coined that identifying the
factors that affect the choice of course would be beneficial because student will find easier the
appropriate course for them.
Mihyeon (2010), stated that the study suggested that parents, teachers and guidance
counselors should recognize their own critical roles in shaping high achieving students career
development and provide tailored career related services to meet different needs of high
achieving students.
The study of mihyeon states that parents, teachers and guidance counselor should shape
their students and be a role model. They are responsible to provide career services related to the
student’s course to achieve higher standards of professions.
Tan (2009) that the described the relative importance of major college course choice
factors. It was also conducted here in the Philippines so it can help many Universities around the
nation to determine what and how many slots for the college course should be taken by means of
how in demand the courses are.
This study is related to this thesis because it tells that one major factor of college course
preference are the jobs that are in demand. They need to know how many slots are available
depending on the student’s choice of course.
Garce (2009) found out that by increasing career development activities, which include
setting career goals, students had a higher self-esteem. Another outcome of a higher self-esteem,
it can help us to choose more difficult goals. Students must be given an opportunity to identify
and explore their desired careers. Ultimately, students will further their education and have a
better chance of succeeding in the "do or die" world in which we live.
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Garce wants to tell that if a student has higher self-esteem they can aim for more difficult
goals. Students should try and explore their preferred course for them to succeed and turn their
dreams into reality.
Kimura-Walsh, Yamamura, Griffin and Allen (2009) pointed to the importance of
school resources for Latina students in college preparation, but also indicated that services
available to these students differed based on their class ranking and perceived eligibility for
selective colleges.
This study is related to this thesis because it tells that school resources are important in
college preparation. They also see it as one of the factors in choosing course preference.
Perna and Thomas (2009) also examined the impact of tests on the levels of college
enrollment for high school students. They focused on state-mandated high school tests and found
greater negative consequences for students at schools with lower socio-economic status and
academic achievement.
This study wants to tell that students at school with lower socio-economic status and
academic achievement has less chance in passing the test for college enrollment which can also
lead to less chance in pursuing the course they prefer.
According to Edwen (2000), different values are attached to different career options.
These values according to him stem from life experiences, educational background, and the
environment. Values are also attached to the stability which is attached to a particular career.
Decisions which involve the choice of elective subjects, courses of specializations and
subsequent careers are equally stressful and trying for girls and boys completing schooling and
proceeding to college (Issa and Nwalo 2008).
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CHAPTER III
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology used in this study; research design, the locale of
the study, respondents of the study, data gathering procedure, research instruments, and
statistical tools that will be used to obtain all the necessary data and information to meet the
intended purpose and outcome of this research investigation.
Research Design
The descriptive-quantitative type of research method will be used in this study. The
descriptive method of this research will be an information-gathering study with adequate and
accurate interpretation of an acquired findings. Also, the study will aim to know and emphasize
on what actually exists in the study such as its current situation, result, and its usefulness after
the study.
This study will employ a descriptive research design for analyzing, describing, and
interpreting the relationship between independent and dependent variables and determining the
study's implications. The socio-demographic profile of the respondents will serve as a validation
of the potential data and information that will be gathered from the respondents concerning the
primary purpose of this study. This study will be mainly designed to extract and assess the
factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in Criminology as
perceived by first year criminology students through survey questionnaires.
Locale of the Study
The study will be conducted at Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI), located at Awar
Street, Basak Malutlut Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The researchers chose this school because
25
they are also studying in this institution and it would be more attainable and easier for them to
conduct the said study.
The city of Marawi is one of the cities of Muslim people also known Dansalan before.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 201,785 people it has 96 barangays. One
of these barangays is Awar Street, east basak, where Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI) is
located.
Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI) is one of the private schools in Marawi City. Lanao
Del sur. It was founded on 2012. Under the administration of Dr. Bae Okile Mangondato Sharief,
Al-hadja. Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI) Has its mission in pursuing their vision. The
following are the mission statement of Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI) (1) The LCCI aspires
to be a leading private institution of higher learning for educating Muslim individual who aims to
be peace citizen in the ARMM/BARMM, Philippines and the whole world (2) To provide better
access to education for Muslim (3) to introduce discipline, development, respect to culture and
strengthen the Islamic faith. The Lanao Central College, Inc. (LCCI) has a Vision. Their vision it
that every Filipino Muslim is qualified to a life defined by discipline, honor, knowledge,
integrity, culture and dignity and to stablished active participation in motion building promoter
of peace and above all become an Allah S.W.T fearing citizen In Sha Allah!
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study will be the first-year criminology students from Lanao
Central College, Inc. (LCCI) who are presently enrolled in the school where this study will be
conducted. The researchers will randomly select fifty (50) respondents. The researchers believed
that these respondents are appropriate subject for this study since the target of this study is to
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assess the factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in
Criminology.
Research Instrument
The researchers will conduct this study with the appropriate instrument to recognize the
factors influencing students in choosing the course Bachelor of Science in Criminology. Hence,
because of further investigation, the researchers will use self-constructed questionnaire to answer
the study's stated problems. The questionnaire has two (2) major parts; the first part contains the
socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, gender and civil status and the
second part contains the factors influencing students in choosing Bachelor of Science in
Criminology in terms of: interest in the field, personality, influential people, change in major
field, and undecided factor.
Data Gathering Procedure
The researchers will undergo in the following steps of ethical process in securing the data
needed. Firstly, the researchers will ask the permission and sent letter of address to the dean of
Lanao Central College, Inc. Secondly, the researchers will ask permission to the respondents for
administering of the questionnaires. Thirdly, the researchers will distribute and administer the
questionnaires to the respondents and allocate enough time to the respondents to answer the
questionnaire. And lastly, the researchers will retrieve data and undergo with the process of
tabulation, analysis, and interpretation to come up the findings of the study.
Statistical Tools Used
Descriptive statistics such as getting the frequency and percentage to determine the most
favoured item on the respondents’ socio-demographic profile will be used. The formula for
percentage is as follows:
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1) Frequency and Percentage Distribution – will be used to describe the profile
distribution and percentage of the respondents.
2) Mean – will be used to determine (on average) the factors influencing students in
choosing the course Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
3) Percentage – it is the ratio of any given number of frequencies to 50. The common
ways of expressing the relation of the part to the whole is to calculate the percentage
by multiplying the part by 50, and dividing the percentage by the whole. The formula
is:
P=F/N × 50
Where
P = Percentage
F= Frequency or any given number
N= Number of Respondents
50 = Constant Number
Mean will be also used to weight the chosen number on each item in part II of the
questionnaire. To obtain the mean of its item, the frequency of its choice will be multiplied by
the corresponding weigh points, then the result will be added and the sum total of every item will
be divided by the total number of respondents. The results will then ranked for easy
interpretation.
Weighted Mean
𝑥=
𝑊𝑖𝑋𝑖
Where: X = mean score
Wi = weight of each item
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Xi = value of each item
N = number of respondents
29
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