An investigation into decision making factors that Influence a students subject choice in senior cycle

The overall aim of this study is to investigate factors that influence Senior Cycle post primary students in their subject choice for Senior Cycle. As students transition from Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle in Irish post primary education, the task of subject choice is an exciting time (Smyth, 2016). Students look forward to the opportunity of choosing subjects and this process can be influenced by multiple factors (Smyth and Hannan, 2006; Smyth, 2016). However, subject choice is a time when decisions are of critical importance as choosing the wrong subjects, can have long term consequences on schooling, future educational and career choices (Mooney, 2009, 2011). A post positive approach was utilised in this study to collect data (Gray, 2014; O’Leary, 2014). This involved surveying 96 fifth year post primary students in two DEIS schools, through the use of an online questionnaire. The key findings of this study highlight that subject choice is influenced by a myriad of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors include parents, school management and structure, subject choice bands, TY programme and the school guidance counsellor. Intrinsic factors include students aptitudes, gender and Junior Certificate subject results. The impact of Budget 2012 has resulted with a gradual dismantling of guidance provisions for Junior Cycle leaving students marginalised, with guidance counsellors spending most of their time with Senior Cycle students (Hearne et al., 2016b). The findings identified that student’s interest and ability in a subject takes precedents over their socio-economic background. The opportunity to sample subjects in TY provides students with a greater insight into subject content, enabling students to make a more informed subject choice for Senior Cycle. To conclude, this research study can enhance the existing body of literature that exists in relation to the factors that influence subject choice for Senior Cycle and a number of recommendations are made to inform future policy, practice and research.