Heath T J, Hyams J, Baguley J, Abbott K A
Surveyingtheprofessions, 11 Sixth Avenue, St. Lucia, Queensland.
Aust Vet J. 2006 Jun;84(6):217-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.tb12804.x.
To compare the family, educational and animal-related backgrounds and career aspirations of students who were selected on the basis of academic criteria with those selected using additional criteria.
Questionnaires were completed during class time in the first few weeks of enrolment by incoming veterinary students at the University of Sydney, who had been selected on the basis of academic background, and at Charles Sturt University, selected using more broadly-based criteria. The data were transferred to an Excel spreadsheet, and frequency distributions and chi2 statistics estimated using the SAS System for Windows 8.
Students selected principally on academic criteria alone had higher average UAI scores, were more likely to have completed high school in a capital city, and to have parents with higher education levels than those selected using additional criteria. Both groups indicated that their choice of veterinary science was based largely on their affinity for animals and keenness to work in a veterinary practice. However, those at CSU placed much greater importance than those at Sydney on a desire to live and work in a rural area, and a desire to help farmers. The broad-based selection methods were the main reasons for students applying to CSU whereas the reputation of the university was the main attraction for Sydney students. Two-thirds of CSU students, but one-third of Sydney students, planned to enter rural mixed practice when they graduated, and most planned to stay for at least 10 years. Conversely, no CSU students, but 42% of those at Sydney, planned to enter small animal practice initially. The percentage planning to work full-time in the first, fifth and tenth year after graduation was not significantly different between the two groups.
Criteria which included actual experience with farm animals have resulted in the selection of more students who plan to enter and remain in rural mixed practice. Further studies over the longer term will be necessary to assess the extent to which these plans are realized.
比较依据学术标准选拔的学生与使用其他标准选拔的学生在家庭、教育、与动物相关的背景以及职业抱负方面的差异。
悉尼大学即将入学的兽医专业学生在入学后的头几周上课时间填写问卷,这些学生是依据学术背景选拔出来的;查尔斯·斯特大学的学生也填写了问卷,该校学生是依据更广泛的标准选拔出来的。数据被转移到Excel电子表格中,并使用Windows 8版SAS系统估算频率分布和卡方统计量。
仅依据学术标准选拔的学生平均大学入学排名(UAI)分数更高,更有可能在首府城市完成高中学业,其父母的教育水平也高于依据其他标准选拔的学生。两组学生均表示,他们选择兽医学主要是基于对动物的喜爱以及在兽医诊所工作的热情。然而,与悉尼大学的学生相比,查尔斯·斯特大学的学生更看重在农村地区生活和工作的愿望以及帮助农民的愿望。广泛的选拔方法是学生申请查尔斯·斯特大学的主要原因,而大学声誉是吸引悉尼大学学生的主要因素。三分之二的查尔斯·斯特大学学生计划毕业后进入农村综合诊所工作,但悉尼大学只有三分之一的学生有此计划,且大多数人计划至少工作10年。相反,没有查尔斯·斯特大学的学生计划最初进入小动物诊所工作,但悉尼大学有42%的学生有此计划。两组学生在毕业后第一年、第五年和第十年计划全职工作的比例没有显著差异。
纳入与农场动物实际接触经验的标准使得选拔出了更多计划进入并留在农村综合诊所工作的学生。有必要进行更长期的进一步研究,以评估这些计划的实现程度。