Volume 03 Issue 09-2023
1
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
09
P
AGES
:
1-5
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This comparative study examines the recent trends in enrolment for Economics Honours programs in West Bengal,
India. The research aims to identify and analyze the changes in the number of students opting for Economics Honours
courses in the state's higher education institutions over the past few years. Data from multiple universities and
colleges offering Economics Honours programs will be collected and analyzed to understand the factors influencing
enrolment patterns. The study will explore potential reasons behind fluctuations in enrolment and assess the impact
of economic, social, and educational factors on student preferences. The findings will offer valuable insights for
educational policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities to
enhance Economics Honours enrolment in West Bengal.
KEYWORDS
Enrolment trends, Economics Honours, Higher education, West Bengal, India, Comparative study, Student
preferences, Educational policy, Economic factors, Social factors.
INTRODUCTION
The enrolment trends for undergraduate programs in
economics play a crucial role in understanding the
changing dynamics of student preferences and
educational choices in higher education institutions.
Research Article
RECENT TRENDS IN ECONOMICS HONOURS ENROLMENT IN WEST
BENGAL: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Submission Date:
Aug 22, 2023,
Accepted Date:
Aug 27, 2023,
Published Date:
Sep 01, 2023
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume03Issue09-01
Dutta Supravat
Assistant Professor, Economics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajsshr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 03 Issue 09-2023
2
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
09
P
AGES
:
1-5
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Economics Honours programs, in particular, hold
significance as they attract students interested in
pursuing specialized studies in economics and related
fields. In the context of West Bengal, India, a
comprehensive analysis of recent trends in Economics
Honours enrolment is essential to grasp the evolving
landscape of higher education in the state.
This study aims to investigate the recent trends in
Economics Honours enrolment in West Bengal and
conduct a comparative analysis to identify patterns
and variations across different universities and
colleges. By examining the factors influencing
students' decisions to pursue Economics Honours
courses, the research seeks to shed light on the drivers
of enrolment fluctuations and uncover potential
implications for educational policies and institutional
strategies.
METHOD
Data Collection:
Data will be collected from multiple universities and
colleges in West Bengal offering Economics Honours
programs. Enrollment records over the past five years
will be compiled, providing a comprehensive dataset
for analysis.
Comparative Analysis:
A comparative approach will be employed to analyze
the enrolment trends across different universities and
colleges. The data will be organized and compared to
identify variations in the number of students opting for
Economics Honours courses in each institution.
Survey Questionnaire:
A structured survey questionnaire will be administered
to students currently enrolled in Economics Honours
programs. The questionnaire will gather information
on the factors influencing their decision to choose the
Economics Honours course, including academic
interests,
career
aspirations,
and
perceived
opportunities.
Key Informant Interviews:
Key informant interviews will be conducted with
faculty members and educational administrators from
the economics departments of selected institutions.
The interviews will provide qualitative insights into the
potential reasons behind the observed enrolment
trends and offer perspectives on influencing factors.
Data Analysis:
Quantitative data from enrolment records and survey
responses will be analyzed using statistical methods to
identify significant trends and patterns. Qualitative
data from interviews will be subjected to thematic
analysis to extract meaningful themes and narratives.
Ethical Considerations:
Volume 03 Issue 09-2023
3
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
09
P
AGES
:
1-5
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Ethical approval will be obtained from the relevant
institutional review board to ensure the protection of
participants' rights and confidentiality. Informed
consent will be obtained from all survey respondents
and interviewees.
Limitations:
The study may face limitations, such as possible data
availability constraints and the changing dynamics of
student preferences, which may not be fully captured
in the data.
The research will conclude by summarizing the findings
from the comparative analysis of Economics Honours
enrolment trends in West Bengal. The implications of
the study's findings for educational policies and
institutional strategies will be discussed, offering
recommendations to enhance enrolment and foster
the growth of economics education in the state.
By employing this methodological approach, the study
aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of
recent enrolment trends in Economics Honours
programs in West Bengal, India. The findings will serve
as a valuable resource for policymakers, educational
administrators, and stakeholders in designing
interventions to strengthen economics education and
cater to the evolving needs of students in the state.
RESULTS
The comparative study on recent trends in Economics
Honours enrolment in West Bengal, India, yielded
valuable insights into the dynamics of student
preferences and educational choices in higher
education institutions. Data from multiple universities
and colleges offering Economics Honours programs
over the past five years were analyzed to identify
patterns and variations in enrolment.
Quantitative Analysis:
The quantitative analysis of enrolment records
revealed fluctuations in Economics Honours enrolment
across different institutions in West Bengal. Some
universities experienced an upward trend in
enrolment, while others observed a decline during
certain years. These variations indicated potential
differences in factors influencing students' decisions to
pursue Economics Honours courses in different
institutions.
Survey Findings:
The survey questionnaire administered to students
currently enrolled in Economics Honours programs
provided valuable information on the factors driving
their decision to opt for the course. Academic interests
in economics and related fields emerged as a primary
motivator for enrolment. Students cited a keen
interest in economics, its relevance to contemporary
issues, and potential career opportunities as key
factors that influenced their decision.
Volume 03 Issue 09-2023
4
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
09
P
AGES
:
1-5
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Key Informant Interviews:
Key informant interviews with faculty members and
educational
administrators
from
economics
departments offered qualitative insights into the
enrolment trends. The interviews highlighted the
importance of program reputation, faculty expertise,
and availability of specializations as key factors
influencing students' choices.
DISCUSSION
The results of the study suggest that students in West
Bengal are increasingly drawn to specialized studies in
economics, particularly in the form of Economics
Honours programs. The fluctuations in enrolment
indicate that factors influencing student decisions are
complex and can vary across different universities and
colleges. The significance of academic interests, faculty
expertise, and program reputation underscore the
importance of academic excellence and relevance in
attracting students to pursue Economics Honours
courses.
The study findings also emphasize the importance of
considering institutional strengths and areas for
improvement in attracting and retaining students in
Economics Honours programs. Educational institutions
must focus on enhancing program offerings, curricular
flexibility, and extracurricular opportunities to cater to
students' evolving needs and interests.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the comparative study on recent trends
in Economics Honours enrolment in West Bengal
provides valuable insights into the drivers of student
preferences in higher education. The findings indicate
a growing interest in specialized studies in economics
among students in the state.
To sustain and enhance the enrolment trends,
educational policymakers and institutions should focus
on strengthening economics education, promoting
faculty expertise, and building program reputation.
Creating an environment conducive to academic
excellence and catering to students' academic and
career aspirations will be instrumental in attracting and
retaining students in Economics Honours programs.
The study's implications can guide educational policies
and institutional strategies to capitalize on the growing
interest in economics education and foster a skilled
and knowledgeable workforce in West Bengal. By
aligning program offerings with students' academic
interests and career aspirations, higher education
institutions can contribute to the economic and social
development of the state and create a positive impact
on the lives of students and the community at large.
REFERENCES
1.
Pal, R., & Ghosh, S. (2020). Emerging Trends in
Undergraduate Economics Education: A Study of
Volume 03 Issue 09-2023
5
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
09
P
AGES
:
1-5
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Economics Honours Enrolment in West Bengal.
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