- Article Research Problem to be solved
- Article Research Goals (hypothesis or research questions)
- Type of Research Being Undertaken (historical, descriptive, or experimental
- Limitations
- Population
- Instruments and methods of Data Collection
- Conclusions Drawn by Researcher
- Significance of the study
- Do recommendations support your study?
- Reference
Article Research Problem to be solved
The article determines the value of Science, technology, engineering and mathematics qualifications with special focus to vocational qualifications. According to Greenwood et al (2011), STEM is crucial in the present economy and it plays an important role on upgrading disciplines and qualifications offered in vocational training.
Article Research Goals (hypothesis or research questions)
The research seeks to answer 3 questions; first is to establish whether there is wage premium earned by persons with STEM qualification compared to vocational qualification or not. Secondly, the study seeks to establish wage premium for persons with vocational qualifications working in STEM occupations.
Lastly, the research seeks to establish wage premium for individuals with STEM qualifications working in STEM occupations (Greenwood et al, 2011). Vocational training and STEM have a direct relationship because STEM qualifications have a higher wage compared to vocational; hence learners are encouraged to study STEM disciplines.
Type of Research Being Undertaken (historical, descriptive, or experimental
The type of research undertaken was historical because it utilized recorded data. The research study has statement of the problem, research questions, data collection and analysis methods, target population, findings and conclusion (Greenwood et al, 2011).
The research shows a direct relationship between STEM and vocational studies. STEM encourages learners undertaking vocational studies to pursue STEM disciplines in order to have better wages.
Limitations
The research had one limitation; most of the work published was based on secondary sources provided by UK Labour Force Survey (Greenwood et al, 2011). STEM combines its disciplines with those of vocational training in order to ensure learners think creatively.
Population
The population of the research study involved households in UK; both males and females with age ranging between 16-64 years. Approximately 163,218 households were involved in the research. The research was done by UK Labour Force.
The households involved were employed with wages and they resided in England and Wales (Greenwood et al, 2011). The study showed that greater percentage of individuals in managerial positions had STEM qualifications.
Instruments and methods of Data Collection
The research utilized relevant recorded data from UK Labour Force Survey. The researcher used secondary data which was ideal and had similar purpose with the study. No primary data was collected. Data provided by Labour force was collected from employed households in England and Wales (Greenwood et al, 2011).
The data included information on qualifications of an individual; occupation and wages. The data showed direct relationship between STEM and vocational studies. Vocational learners who have STEM qualifications are able to analyze data effectively.
Conclusions Drawn by Researcher
A greater percentage of STEM qualifications a higher value in labour market compared to vocational qualifications. STEM encourages vocational learners to undertake STEM disciplines in order to increase their value in labour market (Greenwood et al, 2011). In addition, vocational qualifications in STEM occupations have less pay compared to STEM qualifications according to the researcher.
The researcher concluded that some STEM qualifications have an added value on STEM occupations. STEM disciplines assist vocational learners to be creative, original in their ideas and inductive in reasoning.
Significance of the study
The study is relevant to my study because the information provided is somehow related to STEM, vocational qualifications and wages (Greenwood et al, 2011). The research forms an important baseline for my study because it provides information on contributions of STEM to vocational studies.
Do recommendations support your study?
The recommendations of the study support my study because the study suggests that different STEM discipline have different values in labour market. Learners willing to take STEM disciplines should be advised comprehensively.
In addition, learners should be encouraged to study STEM disciplines because they have higher labour market value than non-Stem disciplines (Greenwood et al, 2011). In addition, conducting a survey would give more comprehensive findings and conclusions.
Reference
Greenwood, C., Harrison, M. & Vignoles, A. (2011).The labour market value of STEM qualifications and occupations. An analysis for the Royal Academy of Engineering, 1 (2), 1-44.