Path analysis represents an attempt to estimate and describe causal relationships through the employ of correlated data. Comparatively, results from experimental studies are preferred to causal inferences. Confidence in results drawn from an experimental normally exists higher on the totem pole in statistics.
There exists no empirical test that can tell the extent to which a selected model exists as the correct model. In order to evaluate these five assumptions, Tate (1992) suggests that researchers focus attention on the credibility, reasonableness, and utility of a proposed model. In other words, 1) a model should seem plausible to those who are expert in the particular field of inquiry, 2) the results should appear reasonable within the …show more content…
It seems that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior controls, and intentions correlate as predicted by the model and play prominently in the process of predicting behavior to apply to graduate school, though at differing levels of influence. For example, attitudes correlated comparatively higher with intentions than did subjective norms and perceived behavior controls. This study provided particular evidence that student attitudes are probably the preeminent criterion that impacts the decision to apply to graduate school. Thus, people who are positive in attitude towards graduate school and who associate with like-minded people who are also positive in viewpoint towards graduate school (subjective norms) imperatively lean towards applying to graduate school. Several studies published by (Ajzen, 1991) related the connection between intentions and attitudes and intentions and subjective norms with attitudes impacting more significantly. This study did not reflect the same significance of subjective norms on the intentions of people to apply to graduate school. The fact that a majority of the students that participated in the study had parents that did not attend graduate school could possibly explain this phenomenon. Seventy-five percent of the students who answered the question related to parental graduate school attendance indicated that there was no parental attendance. Possibly, parental attitudes became a less important consideration for the students. It could also indicate that students in the study were significantly influenced by their existing peer
There exists no empirical test that can tell the extent to which a selected model exists as the correct model. In order to evaluate these five assumptions, Tate (1992) suggests that researchers focus attention on the credibility, reasonableness, and utility of a proposed model. In other words, 1) a model should seem plausible to those who are expert in the particular field of inquiry, 2) the results should appear reasonable within the …show more content…
It seems that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior controls, and intentions correlate as predicted by the model and play prominently in the process of predicting behavior to apply to graduate school, though at differing levels of influence. For example, attitudes correlated comparatively higher with intentions than did subjective norms and perceived behavior controls. This study provided particular evidence that student attitudes are probably the preeminent criterion that impacts the decision to apply to graduate school. Thus, people who are positive in attitude towards graduate school and who associate with like-minded people who are also positive in viewpoint towards graduate school (subjective norms) imperatively lean towards applying to graduate school. Several studies published by (Ajzen, 1991) related the connection between intentions and attitudes and intentions and subjective norms with attitudes impacting more significantly. This study did not reflect the same significance of subjective norms on the intentions of people to apply to graduate school. The fact that a majority of the students that participated in the study had parents that did not attend graduate school could possibly explain this phenomenon. Seventy-five percent of the students who answered the question related to parental graduate school attendance indicated that there was no parental attendance. Possibly, parental attitudes became a less important consideration for the students. It could also indicate that students in the study were significantly influenced by their existing peer