| Influential persons and reasons in choice of major can be used as a predictor for choice of college major. The purposes in this survey study were to (1) develop a profile of students currently majoring in home economics education at Qatar University, (2) compare selected variables of Qatar University home economics major to those of other majors at the same university, and (3) determine relationship among those selected variables. The questionnaire was administered through class to all sophomore and senior home economics students and senior science, sociology and English students at Qatar University.;Frequencies, mean, t-test, Chi-square, discriminant analysis, stepwise discriminant analysis, analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to analyze the data.;The majority of home economics education students at Qatar University were single and Qatarian citizenship. In general, non-home economics students' parents have higher level of education and higher income than parents of home economics education students. Home economics education students had lower grade point average at the college level. Both groups desired more formal education than they expected to complete. Home economics education students indicated higher desires than expectations with respect to entering the teaching field as an occupation.;High school friends have exerted the most influence on choice of major among home economics students. Whereas, other teachers have had the most influence on non-home economics students in their choice of major. To prepare for a career was the second highest reason given for choice of major for both groups. Combining work and family, high school teachers' suggestions, other relatives, helping others and home economics teachers' suggestions emerge as the most important discriminating variables.;Both groups have a positive image of home economics. As compared to non-home economics majors, home economics students viewed themselves friendly and helpful to other people, same as non-home economics students. Also, they viewed themselves as having stronger professional commitment than non-home economics students. Senior students for both groups have more positive attitude toward working women. |
