Thematic Analysis of Economic Factors Affecting Academic Underachievement Among Students (Case Study: Universities of Tabriz, Urmia, and Mohaghegh Ardabili)

Articles in Press

Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Department of Economics - Faculty of Economics - University of Tabriz - Tabriz City - Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran,

10.22080/eps.2026.30683.2393

Abstract

Aim: Academic decline among students is one of the major issues in the higher education systemtherefor, therefore the aim of this research was to describe the economic factors affecting academic decline of students from the perspective of educational experts in universities of northwest Iran.
Methodology: The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach and the Thematic Network Analysis strategy by Attride-Stirling (2001), in three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 higher education experts until theoretical saturation was reached, and analyzed using MAXQDA software. The validity of the research was confirmed through review by qualitative methodology experts and reliability was established by re-coding by two independent coders.
Results: From the analysis of the interviews, 54 basic themes, 7 organizing themes, and 2 global themes were categorized: the components of academic decline, including decline in academic performance, increase in psychological problems, increase in behavioral and social problems, and increase in the likelihood of dropout; and the economic factors affecting academic decline, including individual economy, macroeconomic society, and technology-related economy, were identified.
Conclusions and suggestions: The qualitative findings of the study revealed that academic decline among students is a multidimensional phenomenon manifesting in four main components: decline in academic performance, increase in psychological problems, increase in behavioral and social problems, and increase in the likelihood of dropout. The effective economic factors were also identified in three themes: individual economy, macroeconomic society, and technology-related economy. These factors operate in a chain-like and exacerbating manner on academic decline, and effective interventions require simultaneous attention to economic roots.
Innovation and originality: The innovation of the present research lies in its simultaneous focus on three economic dimensions (individual economy, macroeconomic society, and technology-related issues) and their impact on various aspects of students' academic underachievement, which has not been examined in an integrated manner in previous domestic studies. Additionally, the inclusion of technology issues as an economic factor distinguishes this research from prior studies

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References

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Journal of Educational Planning Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 February 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 05 January 2026
  • Accept Date: 10 February 2026

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