TY - JOUR T1 - Reasons for Department Preference of Faculty of Sport Sciences Students with Classification Judgment Based Scaling Method AU - Özkurt, Burhan AU - Şahin, Ergül PY - 2025 DA - June Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.25307/jssr.1611477 JF - Journal of Sport Sciences Research JO - JSSR PB - Kadir YILDIZ WT - DergiPark SN - 2548-0723 SP - 281 EP - 304 VL - 10 IS - 2 LA - en AB - This study was conducted using the scaling method based on classification judgments in order to determine the reasons for the department preference among students at the Faculty of Sport Sciences. The study was conducted at Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, during the 2022-2023 academic year and was completed with the participation of 297 students from the departments of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Coaching Education, and Sport Management. Within the scope of the research, data were collected through a questionnaire that was revised based on expert opinions and comprised 37 statements. The data obtained were analyzed using Excel and R statistical programs. The results showed that individual factors played a primary role in students’ reasons for choosing their department. The results indicate that individual factors are the most significant determinants of students’ departmental preferences, with “my aptitude for the profession” and “my interest in the profession” cited most frequently. These were followed by environmental factors, particularly job opportunities and institutional infrastructure. In contrast, social influences, such as advice from family and peers, played a less prominent role. Notable differences emerged between departments: Coaching Education students prioritized career aptitude, while those in Physical Education and Sports Teaching emphasized alignment with future goals and job prospects. Sport Management students, on the other hand, focused more on the enjoyment derived from participation in sporting activities. Overall, while personal interests and career objectives were central to students’ choices, departmental characteristics also contributed to shaping their preferences. KW - Faculty of sport sciences KW - Reasons for department preference KW - Classification and ranking scaling KW - Motivational factors in university choice CR - Akbayır, K. (2002, 16-18 Eylül). Öğretmenlik mesleğine yönelmede ailenin ve branş seçiminde cinsiyetin rolü. V. Ulusal Fen Bilimleri ve Matematik Eğitimi Kongresi (Cilt 2, ss. 1183–1188), Ankara, Türkiye. CR - Altaş, D. (2006). Üniversite öğrencileri memnuniyet araştırması. Marmara Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 21(1), 439–458. CR - Atalay, A. (2020). İstihdam edilebilir miyim? Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Yüksekokulu öğrencilerinin istihdam edilebilme algıları: Ardahan Üniversitesi örneği. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(3), 245–257. [CrossRef] CR - Ayık, Y. Z., Özdemir, A., & Yavuz, U. (2010). Lise türü ve lise mezuniyet başarısının, kazanılan fakülte ile ilişkisinin veri madenciliği tekniği ile analizi. Atatürk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 10(2), 441–454. CR - Baharun, R., Awang, Z., & Padlee, S. F. (2011). International students' choice criteria for selection of higher learning in Malaysian private universities. African Journal of Business Management, 5(12), 4704–4714. [CrossRef] CR - Bardakçı, S. (2019). Öğrencilerin üniversite ve bölüm tercihlerini etkileyen faktörlerin incelenmesi: Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi sağlık hizmetleri MYO örneği. Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 20(2), 345–373. [CrossRef] CR - Briggs, S. (2006). An exploratory study of the factors influencing undergraduate student choice: The case of higher education in Scotland. Studies in Higher Education, 31(6), 705–722. [CrossRef] CR - Cárdenas Chávez, S., Hernández Reyes, F., & Piña Gutiérrez, M. E. (2021). Factores que inciden en la elección de una carrera universitaria. PsicoEducativa: Reflexiones y Propuestas, 7(13), 15-24. CR - Chapman, D. W. (1981). A model of student college choice. The Journal of Higher Education, 52(5), 490–505. [CrossRef] CR - Chard, C. R., & Potwarka, L. R. (2017). Exploring the relative importance of factors that influence student-athletes’ school-choice decisions: A case study of one Canadian university. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 10(1), 22-43. [CrossRef] CR - Chen, L., Pratt, J. A., & Cole, C. B. (2016). Factors influencing students’ major and career selection in systems development: An empirical study. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 56(4), 313–320. [CrossRef] CR - Crocker, L., & Algina, J. (1986). Introduction to classical and modern test theory. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. CR - Cosser, M., & Du Toit, J. (2002). From school to higher education? Factors affecting the choices of grade 12 learners (Vol. 1). HSRC Press. CR - Coşar, M. (2016). Üniversite tercihinde öğrencileri etkileyen faktörler. Eğitim ve Öğretim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(1), 19–28. CR - Çatı, K., İştar, E., & Özcan, H. (2016). Üniversite tercihlerine etki eden faktörlerin incelenmesi: Türkiye genelinde bir alan araştırması. Journal of Higher Education and Science, 6(2), 163–172. [CrossRef] CR - Çokgezen, M. (2014). Determinants of university choice: A study on economics departments in Turkey. Yükseköğretim Dergisi, 4(1), 23–31. [CrossRef] CR - Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum Press. CR - Doğan, S., & Türkmen, H. H. (2019). Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi örneğinde öğrencilerin üniversite tercih nedenlerinin tespitine yönelik bir araştırma. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 11(30), 848–866. [CrossRef] CR - Donnellan, J. (2002). The impact of marketer-controlled factors on college-choice decisions by students at a public research university [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Massachusetts Amherst. CR - Dube, N., Nyambo, S., Kanjiri, N. K., & Ruzungunde, V. S. (2022). First-year students’ university and programme selection at a South African university: Choice or compulsion? International Journal of African Higher Education, 9(2), 80–101. [CrossRef] CR - Erkuş, H., Oral, T., & Sever, S. (2020). Üniversite öğrencilerinin bölüm tercihlerini etkileyen faktörler üzerine bir araştırma. Dicle Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 10(20), 261–275. CR - Erol, A., Yergin, H., & Mercan, M. (2012). Üniversite öğrencilerinin üniversite tercihlerinin belirleyicileri: Hakkâri örneği. Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Dergisi, 4(2), 1–10. CR - Fernandez, L. J. (2010). An exploratory study of factors influencing the decision of students to study at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Kajian Malaysia, 28(2), 107–136. CR - Filter, S. (2010). The choice-of-college decision of academically talented students [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. The George Washington University. CR - Fletcher, J. M. (2012). Similarity in peer college preferences: New evidence from Texas. Social Science Research, 41(2), 321–330. [CrossRef] CR - Gürdoğan, A. (2016). Öğrencilerin üniversite tercihlerini etkileyen faktörler: Ortaca örneği. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 9(42), 1238–1246. CR - Hemsley-Brown, J., & Oplatka, I. (2006). Universities in a competitive global marketplace: A systematic review of the literature on higher education marketing. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 19(4), 316–338. [CrossRef] CR - Hooley, G. J., & Lynch, J. E. (1981). Modelling the student university choice process through the use of conjoint measurement techniques. European Research, 9(4), 158–170. CR - Holland, J. L. (1996). Exploring careers with a typology. American Psychologist, 51(4), 397–406. [CrossRef] CR - Huffman, L. T., Navarro, K. M., & Cooper, C. G. (2016). College choice… holistic development… career success… college choice: Introducing the “lifetime human capital cycle” for intercollegiate athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Management, 8(4), Article 8. [CrossRef] CR - James, R., Baldwin, G., & McInnis, C. (1999). Which university? The factors influencing the choices of prospective undergraduates. Evaluations and Investigations Programme, Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. CR - James-MacEachern, M., & Yun, D. (2017). Exploring factors influencing international students’ decision to choose a higher education institution: A comparison between Chinese and other students. International Journal of Educational Management, 31(3), 343–363. [CrossRef] CR - Kallio, R. E. (1995). Factors influencing the college choice decisions of graduate students. Research in Higher Education, 36, 109–124. [CrossRef] CR - Konak, S., & Özhasar, Y. (2019). Turizm lisans öğrencilerinin turizm ile ilgili bölümleri tercih nedenleri. International Journal of Contemporary Tourism Research, 3(1), 1–11. [CrossRef] CR - Korkut-Owen, F. K., Kepir, D., Özdemir, S., Ulaş, Ö. & Yılmaz, O. (2012). Üniversite öğrencilerinin bölüm seçme nedenleri. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(3), 135-151. [CrossRef] CR - Kramer, E. G. (2023). Decisions, decisions: Analyzing college choice amongst NCAA Division II transfer and non-transfer athletes. Journal of Athlete Development and Experience, 5(2), Article 1. [CrossRef] CR - Krumboltz, J. D., Mitchell, A. M., & Jones, G. B. (1976). A social learning theory of career selection. The Counseling Psychologist, 6(1), 71–81. [CrossRef] CR - Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45(1), 79–122. [CrossRef] CR - Lin, L. (1997). What are student education and educational related needs? Marketing and Research Today, 25(3), 199–212. CR - Magnusen, M. J., Kim, Y., Perrewé, P. L., & Ferris, G. R. (2014). A critical review and synthesis of student-athlete college choice factors: Recruiting effectiveness in NCAA sports. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 9(6), 1265–1286. [CrossRef] CR - Maringe, F. (2006). University and course choice. International Journal of Educational Management, 20(6), 466–479. [CrossRef] CR - McManus, R., Haddock-Fraser, J., & Rands, P. (2017). A methodology to understand student choice of higher education institutions: The case of the United Kingdom. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 39(4), 390–405. [CrossRef] CR - Mwinkume, G., Nandakumar, C. D., Aidoo, E., & Raj, A. B. (2024). Enhanced multinomial logistic regression analysis of determinants influencing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) choices among Ghanaian youth: Implications for policy development. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(11), Article 8642. [CrossRef] CR - Nguyen, T. L., Nguyen, H. T., Nguyen, N. H., Nguyen, D. L., Nguyen, T. T. D., & Le, D. L. (2023). Factors affecting students' career choice in economics majors in the COVID-19 post-pandemic period: A case study of a private university in Vietnam. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), Article 100338. [CrossRef] CR - Öncü, Ö., Tavlıca, A., & Koğar, H. (2022). LGS sekizinci sınıf testlerinin derslere ve konulara göre önem düzeylerinin sınıflama ve sıralama yargılarıyla ölçekleme ile analizi. Siirt Eğitim Dergisi, 2(1), 33–56. CR - Özkurt, B., Küçükibiş, H. F., & Altın, Y. (2022). Lise ve üniversite öğrencilerinin fiziksel aktivitelerden keyif alma düzeylerinin incelenmesi. Sivas Cumhuriyet University Journal of Sport Sciences, 3(3), 91–98. CR - Öztürk, Z., & Ilıman, Z. E. (2015). Sağlık yönetimi ve işletmeciliği bölümünde okuyan öğrencilerin bölümü tercih nedenleri ile beklenti ve motivasyon düzeyleri üzerine bir araştırma. Hitit Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 8(1), 71–93. [CrossRef] CR - Özyürek, R., & Kılıç-Atıcı, M. (2002). Üniversite öğrencilerinin meslek seçimi kararlarında kendilerine yardım eden kaynakların belirlenmesi. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 2(17), 33–42. [CrossRef] CR - Pope, D. G., & Pope, J. C. (2009). The impact of college sports success on the quantity and quality of student applications. Southern Economic Journal, 75(3), 750–780. [CrossRef] CR - Popp, N., Pierce, D., & Hums, M. A. (2011). A comparison of the college selection process for international and domestic student-athletes at NCAA Division I universities. Sport Management Review, 14(2), 176–187. [CrossRef] CR - Price, I. F., Matzdorf, F., Smith, L., & Agahi, H. (2003). The impact of facilities on student choice of university. Facilities, 21(10), 212–222. [CrossRef] CR - Savickas, M. L. (1991). The meaning of work and love: Career issues and interventions. The Career Development Quarterly, 39(4), 315–324. [CrossRef] CR - Saylan-Kırmızıgül, A., & Kızılay, E. (2020). Fen bilgisi öğretmen adaylarının öğretmenlik mesleği seçimlerinde etkili olan etkenlerin belirlenmesi. Öğretmen Eğitimi ve Öğretim Dergisi, 1(1), 35–44. CR - Simões, C., & Soares, A. M. (2010). Applying to higher education: Information sources and choice factors. Studies in Higher Education, 35(4), 371–389. [CrossRef] CR - Somers, P., Haines, K., Keene, B., Bauer, J., Pfeiffer, M., McCluskey, J., & Sparks, B. (2006). Towards a theory of choice for community college students. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 30(1), 53–67. [CrossRef] CR - Soutar, G. N., & Turner, J. P. (2002). Students’ preferences for university: A conjoint analysis. International Journal of Educational Management, 16(1), 40–45. [CrossRef] CR - Strasser, S. E., Özgür, C., & Schroeder, D. L. (2002). Selecting a business college major: An analysis of criteria and choice using the analytical hierarchy process. Mid-American Journal of Business, 17(2), 47–56. [CrossRef] CR - Şaşmaz-Ataçocuğu, M., & Zelyurt, M. K. (2017). Spor bilimleri fakülteleri mezunlarının işsizlik deneyimleri üzerine nitel bir araştırma. Sportif Bakış: Spor ve Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 70–97. CR - Şeker, G., & Çapri, B. (2020). Eğitim Fakültesi öğrencilerinin meslek seçiminde etkili olan faktörler. Mersin Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 16(3), 651–663. [CrossRef] CR - Tataroğlu, B., Özgen, K., & Alkan, H. (2011, 27-29 Nisan). Matematik öğretmen adaylarının öğretmenliği tercih nedenleri ve beklentileri. 2nd International Conference on New Trends in Education and Their Implications (ss. 998-1006), Antalya, Türkiye. CR - Telli-Yamamoto, G. (2006). University evaluation‐selection: A Turkish case. International Journal of Educational Management, 20(7), 559–569. [CrossRef] CR - Thurstone, L. L. (2017). A law of comparative judgment. In S. M. Stigler (Ed.), Scaling (pp. 81–92). Routledge. [CrossRef] CR - Tomlinson, M. (2008). “The degree is not enough”: Students’ perceptions of the role of higher education credentials for graduate work and employability. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 29(1), 49–61. [CrossRef] CR - Torgerson, W. S. (1958). Theory and methods of scaling. Wiley. CR - Torgerson, W. S. (1961). Scaling and test theory. Annual Review of Psychology, 12, 51–70. [CrossRef] CR - Turgut, M. F., & Baykul, Y. (1992). Ölçekleme teknikleri. ÖSYM Yayınları. CR - Turgut, M., Gökyürek, B., & Yenel, F. (2004). Beden eğitimi ve spor yüksekokullarındaki antrenörlük eğitimi ve spor yöneticiliği bölümlerinde öğrenim gören öğrencilerin bu bölümleri seçme nedenleri ve beklentileri üzerine bir araştırma. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 5(1), 91–99. CR - Ulaş-Kılıç, Ö., Peila-Shuster, J. J., Demirtaş-Zorbaz, S., & Kızıldağ, S. (2020). Career decision-making self-efficacy of young adolescent students in Turkey. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 8(Sup1), 38–48. [CrossRef] CR - Veloutsou, C., Lewis, J. W., & Paton, R. A. (2004). University selection: Information requirements and importance. International Journal of Educational Management, 18(3), 160–171. [CrossRef] CR - Wut, T. M., Xu, J., & Lee, S. W. (2022). Does university ranking matter? Choosing a university in the digital era. Education Sciences, 12(4), Article 229. [CrossRef] CR - Yavuz, N., Sağlam, M., & Ülgen, B. (2018). Öğrencilerin kariyer tercihlerine göre kişilik özelliklerinin kariyer değerleri üzerindeki etkisi: İşletme lisans bölümü öğrencileri üzerine bir araştırma. Balıkesir Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 21(40), 457-495. [CrossRef] CR - Yavuz-Söyler, D. (2022). Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi öğrencilerinin bölüm tercih nedenlerinin araştırılması. İKSAD Yayınevi. CR - Yıldız, R., Koçak, Ç. V., & Sıngın, R. H. Ö. (2020). Öğrencilerin spor liselerini seçme nedenleri ve beklentilerinin incelenmesi. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(1), 72–83. CR - Yurtsızoğlu, Z., & Gül, O. (2023). Kariyer eğitimi ve kariyer planlama farkındalığının spor endüstrisi için önemi. Ondokuz Mayis University Journal of Education Faculty, 42(1), 431-468. [CrossRef] CR - Zhai, K., Gao, X., & Wang, G. (2019). Factors for Chinese students choosing Australian higher education and motivation for returning: A systematic review. SAGE Open, 9(2), 1–11. [CrossRef] UR - https://doi.org/10.25307/jssr.1611477 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4484796 ER -