This is not my subject specialism by any means, but it sounds like you might want to start by looking at some statistical data in relation to mobility.

Mostly we have the relevant theory before going to start a project. But, your case is a lit bit different.

If you want to study the effect of tuition fees on socioeconomic/intergenerational mobility, then you need: a) data on tuition fees and b) data on mobility.

Then you examine those data using a statistical/econometric model. You can start with a plain linear model:

mobility = a + b * tuition fees

Then, according to the result, you use the theory explanation that best matches your results.

Good Luck!

Sara, you may want to consider Hobfall’s conservation of resources theory. There are many articles that have used this theory.

Consider a conceptual framework premise on social mobility theory to asses the extent of the effect of tuition fees on socioeconomic/intergenerational mobility. It is a good subject very complex with lot of variables. Take your time to develop a comprehensive theoretical and conceptual framework to assist you with data collections and analysis. Good luck!

I would use SEU-Theory (Subjective-Expected-Utility-Theory) to model decisions on education.

If you cannot find theories that you can use in your research problems, look for related articles and focus on the hypotheses that were tested, there you could find the generalizations you need

It is interesting to examine "The effect of compulsory secondary / senior secondary education on intergenerational mobility". This can "see" the differences and impacts that arise in each generation, as well as be able to analyze the characteristics of the social mobility of the people in each generation. Great.

Several concepts that can be taken are the concept of social mobility, the theory of social change, the social dynamics of migrants. Some references may be found on Google Scholar and others.

Given our interests you have ou ma like to investigate Political Economy. There is quite a bit written on political economy of education.

Having just taken a masters course on this, I can tell you, first you need to decide on your paradigm or world view. If you are positivist you will follow one path, if interpretive, transformational or pragmatic, others

So a positivist might look at a hypothesis that higher fees result in higher dropouts for less affluent students.

Interpretive - you would look at individuals' case studies, get them together in focus groups to discuss the impact of fees on their lives etc.

Transformational (critical theory) you might look at how university fees perpetuate class structure

Pragmatic - maybe something like how students choose the best path given their financial resources to achieve the outcomes they want.

Look it up!

There must be research on this first subject or very closely related to it. In different countries perhaps. This kind of dynamic was studied in Europe in the 1970s when young people from the working class went to university in large numbers. In the Netherlands it is stated as a fact that each year of extra education after 15 years of age adds a 7% increase of income so that must come from somewhere.

2nd advice. Why use theory first? Do you want to refine a theory or do you want to study the phenomenon itself? Why not do exploratory research first, talk to people, see what comes out of this and then judge theories to see which help explain the phenomenon. “Follow the data”. This gives you more research experience than using existing data sets of which you do not really know the quality.

If you want to study the effect of obligatory education, find or make two groups, one before and one after the new measure. Interview them and see what motivated them to go on to further studies or what they do now or earn now. If you call it exploratory, because you did not find relevant materials, you have leeway in respect to theory. If it is exploratory you do not even need pre-formulated hypothesis, just loads of curiosity and open-mindedness. I can send you literature on methodology that supports such a heuristic research design, if it can help you.

Now you have the freedom to do original research and not re-hash other people’s work. An idea?

Yes Lilian Hopkins, there has been heaps of research along those lines. Unfortunately saturation can be reached - I never forget a sign I saw in the Philippines "Nightwatchman wanted - criminology degree required". Degrees have become so commonplace in many countries that their market price has gone right down. Tradesman apprentices can earn more than low-ranking professionals over a lifetime now.

please re read what Lilian Hupkens has replied, especially the second paragraph.

if you want to still stick to a data driven research, then read on ...

the subject palette appears very vast and will generate many many interdependent variables. you may like to scale down to a specific effect of tuition fees on (insert specific socioeconomic/intergenerational mobility aspect here), from where you will automatically be led to a theoretical framework.

Joe Flood

The extra years of education do not automatically imply a university education.

I agree with you that, a degree does not automatically lead to a well paid job; it makes a difference what your study was. Too many people with a liberal arts degree or English who hope to get into publishing, too many people who study leisure studies think tourism will give them a good job or museum studies and hope to get a curatorship, all without a clue how many job opportunities there are or what they are paid. When you ask 18 year olds what they want to do later, they often say they want to work with people, as if that is virtuous, more virtuous than designing a better hip prothesis, or a mobile telephone for older people, or cooking healthy food for institutions.

In general I still think that an advanced education is better in the long run than only secondary school, and that vocational studies can be a very good alternative to an easy but general and superficial bachelors degree. Many European countries still have excellent vocational educational tracks, fortunately.

If you want to do some research of your interest, first find some published journal articles on that topic. Then build your own model following the models of others. The model you build will depend on the data you have or available easily.

Thank you for your question. Not finding a "suitable theory" doesn't mean that you have to change your topic. Just start with the empirical part and then figure out the theory on the fly. For a Bachelor thesis this should suffice.

Good luck!

first of all you should find some good published journal or articles on this particular topic and find out the research gap and make a model for fulfill this gap. Good luck!

I can assure you, having just taken a masters course on this you must first determine your framework or worldview. If you're optimistic, you'll take one direction, if you're interpretive, transformative or realistic, So a positivist would look at a theory that higher fees contribute to higher dropouts among less privileged students Interpretive: you'd look at case studies of people, bring them together in focus groups to address the effect of fees on their lives, etc. You might look at how transformational payments reinforce class hierarchy. Pragmatic: maybe something like how students chose the right option considering their financial means to obtain their desired goals.

Try concentrating on 1 or 2 of your questions & unpick them otherwise you will run out of words if your questions are too broad.

The current or available literature will help you get a theoretical framework of your study.