Factors to Consider when Choosing Gender Studies at the Master's Level at Selected South African Colleges

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of choice of the master’s programme in gender and development studies in South Africa.

Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.

Findings: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on choice of the master’s programme in gender and development studies in South Africa. Preliminary empirical review reveals that lack of gender awareness featured primarily when the students did not feel suited to the choice, they had made due to factors such as family advice and their educational background constraints.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Rational choice theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to human nature that are important to this study.  The results of this research will form the basis for further research to benefit colleges in terms of knowledge contribution because it sought to highlight similarities and differences in the educational experience of women and men thus adding a qualitative aspect that needs to be addressed in any meaningful developmental discourse.