Factors Influencing Academic Achievement of Economically Disadvantaged Children in Remote Areas of Thailand: A Phenomenology Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the academic success of economically disadvantaged children who resided in remote areas of Thailand. This study applied the phenomenology research methodology. The participants in this study were eight academically successful people who had already graduated at least at the bachelor degree level. They had been economically disadvantaged, residing in remote areas of Thailand and had obtained HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Scholarships. A semi-structured interview was applied as a means of collecting data. There were two rounds of one-on-one interviews with each participant and each round was at least one month apart. This study applied Creswell’s steps of data analysis; organising and preparing data, reading through all the data, coding the data, interrelating theme, and interpreting the meaning of theme. The five themes of factors influencing academic achievement that emerged were; aspirations and educational goals, personal characteristics of people who have academic achievement, significant others who inspired and supported, scholarships as opportunity creators, and schools and universities as agents for academic achievement.