Abstract:

In this study, in which a relational survey design was used, it was examined whether university students' commitment to science and their perceptions of their identity as a scientist were important determinants of their decision to pursue postgraduate education. Participants consisted of 315 second year undergraduate students who were enrolled in different programs at a higher education institution. The Commitment to Science Scale, the Scientist Identity Scale, and the Postgraduate Education Intent Scale were used as data collection tools. The stepwise regression analysis method was used to determine the level of contribution of the study variables predicting participants' intentions to pursue postgraduate education. The results showed that commitment to science and perception of identity as a scientist were significant predictors of the decision to pursue postgraduate education, and the variable of scientist identity was found to be the strongest variable explaining the participants' intentions for postgraduate education. The results draw attention to the positive aspects and importance of psychological variables related to science in creating commitment to postgraduate careers. The proliferation of a science culture that embraces undergraduate students in a campus setting can encourage students to pursue a career in science by helping them progress towards becoming a scientist.

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