Development and Validation of the Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education Questionnaire

Abstract

This article addresses the development and validation of the Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education (FIPHE) Questionnaire, a 92-item self-report measure that investigates factors that influence individuals to pursue higher education. Reliability estimates for the nine FIPHE scale scores ranged from .66 to .90. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from a sample ( N = 509) of college students enrolled in two south-eastern universities. The data were subjected to principal components analysis with varimax rotation. Although the researchers hypothesized 10 scales for the questionnaire, the results revealed that a nine-factor solution produced the most interpretable factor patterns. The nine-factor solution accounted for 43% of the common variance. Limitations of the research and implications for future research are discussed.

Effects of salient factors on the pursuit of higher education among multicultural youth in Hong Kong

“…For instance, the economic perspective of Hossler et al's (1999) model concentrates on the cost-benefit aspect of the financial burden and contributions of higher education to high-paying jobs and social status. This perspective overlaps with the relative functionalism factor advocated by Harris and Halpin (2002), or the instrumental values of education, compared to other non-educational choices. Scholarships and financial aid are crucial in enabling low-income students to attend college and cultivate their talent.…”

“…The primary objective of this study is to scrutinize the crucial variables that influence students' inclination and endeavor toward attaining higher education, particularly across diverse student groups. In order to accomplish these research aims, we have identified the factors espoused by the Combined model (Hossler et al, 1999) and Harris and Halpin's (2002) model as instrumental in shaping our study. Both models share overlapping and complementary factors.…”

“…Hence, providing sufficient financial aid and scholarships can increase the chance of lower-income students to pursue higher education. Harris and Halpin's (2002) model offers a comprehensive approach that complements Hossler et al's (1999) work by examining economic, social, cultural, psychological factors, and educational processes in pursuit of a holistic understanding of the factors that motivate individuals to pursue higher education. The two models highlight the importance of job opportunities, social status, income, and prestige as key motivators for higher education enrollment.…”

Perceived Value as a Mediating Variable in the Theory of Planned Behavior: Application to the Intention of Completing an Master of Business Administration

“…Given the complexity of understanding the factors that make individuals adopt certain behaviors, a series of studies and models have been developed that aim to explain them (Harris and Halpin, 2002;Islam and Jahan, 2014;Ng et al, 2011;Nyaribo et al, 2012).…”

Hypatia A Residential Community For Freshman Women In Engineering

“…The survey was based on the Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education (FIPHE) Questionnaire developed by Harris and Halpin. 6 There are 114 questions ranging from how long they have lived in their current home to the size and diversity of their high school, to opinions expressed by friends and family regarding their pursuit of an undergraduate engineering degree. Due to its length, the actual survey is not included in this paper.…”