One of the critical decisions young individuals face after completing secondary education is choosing an academic discipline, which significantly impacts their future career paths. This study focuses on designing a conceptual model to identify and explain the factors influencing students' attraction to the chemistry discipline. Employing a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology, the research analyzes the indicators and components affecting the selection of chemistry as a field of study and the academic guidance of talented students. For data collection in the qualitative phase, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with general guidance were conducted, and data analysis was performed using the Strauss and Corbin method to develop the qualitative research model. Through purposive and snowball sampling, interviews were conducted with 23 chemistry graduates, 16 academic advisors, and 18 university chemistry professors until data saturation was achieved. The analysis of data obtained from the interviews, through open, axial, and selective coding processes, resulted in the development of a proposed model for identifying factors influencing students' attraction to the chemistry discipline based on grounded theory. The findings, based on the conceptual model, indicate that guiding students toward the chemistry discipline requires attention to educational components, job opportunity development, promotion and awareness-raising, fostering research and development, supportive policies, technology and innovation development, culturalization and societal attitude change, and the role of influential individuals in students' lives.
Cheshme Khavar, A. H. and Darvishnejad, M. H. (2025). A Grounded Theory Study on Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Chemistry as a Field of Study. Research in Chemistry Education, (), -. doi: 10.48310/chemedu.2025.19303.1331
MLA
Cheshme Khavar, A. H. , and Darvishnejad, M. H. . "A Grounded Theory Study on Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Chemistry as a Field of Study", Research in Chemistry Education, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.48310/chemedu.2025.19303.1331
HARVARD
Cheshme Khavar, A. H., Darvishnejad, M. H. (2025). 'A Grounded Theory Study on Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Chemistry as a Field of Study', Research in Chemistry Education, (), pp. -. doi: 10.48310/chemedu.2025.19303.1331
CHICAGO
A. H. Cheshme Khavar and M. H. Darvishnejad, "A Grounded Theory Study on Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Chemistry as a Field of Study," Research in Chemistry Education, (2025): -, doi: 10.48310/chemedu.2025.19303.1331
VANCOUVER
Cheshme Khavar, A. H., Darvishnejad, M. H. A Grounded Theory Study on Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Chemistry as a Field of Study. Research in Chemistry Education, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.48310/chemedu.2025.19303.1331
)