Equality in the Degree Programme in International Business in Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Molin, Jenny; Regina, Eveliina (2016)
Oulun ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016120519135
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016120519135
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis is to look further into students’ perceptions of equality in the Degree Programme in International Business in Oulu University of Applied Sciences. A previous survey, Jouko wants to know!, conducted by Oulu University of Applied Sciences indicated that the overall situation concerning equality in the educational institution is positive, with most participants reporting they are treated equal. However, according to the survey students studying in the Degree Programme in International Business encounter more unequal treatment during their studies in comparison to the results of Oulu University of Applied Sciences in total. Due to low amount of participants from the Degree Programme in International Business and problems with the survey questions the results are not likely to give a sincere view of the situation. Despite the results indicating that students feel equal, the inherent problems with the survey are a reason for further research.
The research for this thesis was conducted by targeting students with a quantitative survey as well as using qualitative, semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insight of equality in the Degree Programme in International Business. The interview participants were guaranteed anonymity. The thesis includes a theoretical part in which equality and parts of Finnish legislation have been analyzed and adopted to get a broader understanding of the research. The objective of this thesis is to understand if students feel equal and in what situations does unequal treatment happen.
Results indicate that most students have been treated equal during their studies. However, unequal treatment is more common in matters such as nationality, language skills and preferential treatment by teachers. Even though students reported witnessing other students receiving preferential treatment by teachers, a greater deal of unequal treatment manifests from students themselves. Approximately one third of the students in the Degree Programme in International Business reported that they have been treated unequally. As a result, we have conducted development proposals for Oulu University of Applied Sciences that would help in understanding the inequality issues students face and how these situations can be prevented.
The research for this thesis was conducted by targeting students with a quantitative survey as well as using qualitative, semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insight of equality in the Degree Programme in International Business. The interview participants were guaranteed anonymity. The thesis includes a theoretical part in which equality and parts of Finnish legislation have been analyzed and adopted to get a broader understanding of the research. The objective of this thesis is to understand if students feel equal and in what situations does unequal treatment happen.
Results indicate that most students have been treated equal during their studies. However, unequal treatment is more common in matters such as nationality, language skills and preferential treatment by teachers. Even though students reported witnessing other students receiving preferential treatment by teachers, a greater deal of unequal treatment manifests from students themselves. Approximately one third of the students in the Degree Programme in International Business reported that they have been treated unequally. As a result, we have conducted development proposals for Oulu University of Applied Sciences that would help in understanding the inequality issues students face and how these situations can be prevented.