Exploring the Connection between Gifted Students' Interest in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Their Career Pathways
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| Title: | Exploring the Connection between Gifted Students' Interest in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Their Career Pathways |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Premanarayani Menon, Faizatul Akmal Binti Rahim, Isaac Sharvindran, You Huay Woon, Suganty Kanapathy, Hawa Aqilah Binti Hamuzan, Mohd Nor Bin Latif, Nursakinah Binti Mat Hazir |
| Source: | Australasian Journal of Gifted Education. 2026 35(1):5-17. |
| Availability: | Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented. School of Education, The University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. e-mail: EditorAJGE@aaegt.net.au; Web site: http://www.aaegt.net.au/?page_id=736 |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education High Schools Secondary Education Elementary Education Grade 8 Junior High Schools Middle Schools Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 |
| Descriptors: | Gifted Education, Academically Gifted, Pharmaceutical Education, Student Interests, High School Students, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Career Choice, Foreign Countries, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Parents, Occupations, STEM Careers |
| Geographic Terms: | Malaysia |
| DOI: | 10.3316/informit.T2026040300000902097173479 |
| ISSN: | 1323-9686 |
| Abstract: | Gifted education offers enrichment and accelerated learning programs to support the continuous development of high-ability students. To create exceptional educational experiences, educators need to explore the specific interests of intellectually gifted learners. The global COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for more pharmaceutical scientists capable of developing and producing new medications to meet emerging health challenges. This study aimed to examine the interest of gifted students in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Quantitative data were collected using a survey administered to 322 high school students, ranging from Grades 8 to 12, at Pintar National Gifted Center, located at the National University of Malaysia. Tests for normality (Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov) revealed that the dataset was not normally distributed, prompting the use of non-parametric statistical methods. These included the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Logistic regression was thereafter used to examine the relationship between an individual's interest in pharmaceutical science and their eventual career choice. Findings indicated a significant association between students' interest in pharmaceutical sciences and their intent to pursue careers in the field. Additionally, gender-based differences were observed, with female students demonstrating higher levels of interest than their male peers. The results suggested a need to raise awareness and visibility of the pharmaceutical science field to attract a broader pool of gifted professionals capable of addressing future global health challenges. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501953 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Gifted education offers enrichment and accelerated learning programs to support the continuous development of high-ability students. To create exceptional educational experiences, educators need to explore the specific interests of intellectually gifted learners. The global COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for more pharmaceutical scientists capable of developing and producing new medications to meet emerging health challenges. This study aimed to examine the interest of gifted students in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Quantitative data were collected using a survey administered to 322 high school students, ranging from Grades 8 to 12, at Pintar National Gifted Center, located at the National University of Malaysia. Tests for normality (Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov) revealed that the dataset was not normally distributed, prompting the use of non-parametric statistical methods. These included the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Logistic regression was thereafter used to examine the relationship between an individual's interest in pharmaceutical science and their eventual career choice. Findings indicated a significant association between students' interest in pharmaceutical sciences and their intent to pursue careers in the field. Additionally, gender-based differences were observed, with female students demonstrating higher levels of interest than their male peers. The results suggested a need to raise awareness and visibility of the pharmaceutical science field to attract a broader pool of gifted professionals capable of addressing future global health challenges. |
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| ISSN: | 1323-9686 |
| DOI: | 10.3316/informit.T2026040300000902097173479 |
