English abstract
The present study aimed at exploring the formation of vocational self-concept among students in grades five and six in Muscat governorate schools applying a qualitative approach. The study sample included 18 students from both grades interviewed individually. The sample has been selected by The Snowball Method which is based on referrals among people with some features the research required. The sample also included 7 teachers interviewed collectively. Data was collected using qualitative methods including interviews and observation. The results of the analysis have shown two basic themes in the research: the self-system and the social-system, branching out of which a series of sub-themes that contribute in forming the vocational self-concept among the participants. The sub-themes branching out from the self-system are: hobbies and activities, awareness of professions requirements, and value considerations, while the sub-themes branching out from the social-system are: specific guidance and unspecific guidance to the world of professions. These results have been discussed in the light of the theoretical framework which included a number of theories of career development, especially those that focus on late childhood as a starting point and as a base for career development in later phases, such as Super and Ginzberg theories of Career development by; Savickas and Gottfredson theories about self-concept in Vocational Psychology, in addition to the recent studies about Vocational self-concept, both quantitative and qualitative ones. Finally, the study came out with a number of recommendations in light of the results that have been reached.
