Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education: Validating a Questionnaire

This paper explains the process used to validate the construct validity of the Factors Influencing Pursuit of Higher Education Questionnaire. This questionnaire is a literature-based, researcher-developed instrument which gathers information on the factors thought to affect a person's decision to pursue higher education. The questionnaire includes 10 scales: parental influence, extended family support, peer support, locus of control, relative functionalism, glass ceiling effect, financial aid concerns, influence of mentors, presence of role models, and general preparation for college. The questionnaire was completed by 434 college students enrolled in general studies classes at two southeastern universities in the spring of 1997. Results indicate that the questionnaire has a high degree of internal consistency. Reliability estimates for the 10 scales included in the questionnaire ranged from adequate to excellent. Overall, the questionnaire was determined to have satisfactory construct validity for use in further investigations of the factors which influence individuals to pursue higher education. The questionnaire is appended. (Contains 42 references.) (DB)