Causal Influence of Knowledge and Understanding on the Application of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Among Students at Bangkokthonburi University

Abstract

This research consists purposes were 1. to examine Bangkokthonburi University students’ levels of knowledge, understanding and application of the Sustainable Development Goals 2. to compare these outcomes across demographic groups and 3. to analyze the effects of knowledge and understanding on application. The sample consisted of 600 Bangkokthonburi University students selected through convenience sampling. Research instruments included a questionnaire and an assessment form developed from a literature review, SDG concepts and the Education for Sustainable Development framework. The instruments comprised four sections demographic information SDG knowledge, measured by 25 multiple-choice items covering the 5Ps framework; SDG understanding, measured by 10 five-point Likert-scale items and SDG application, measured by 15 five-point Likert-scale items. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 1) The level of knowledge regarding the Sustainable Development Goals was overall high, at .648. The level of understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals was overall at the highest level (x̅ = 4.49, S.D. = 0.20) and the level of application of the Sustainable Development Goals was overall at the highest level (x̅ = 4.43, S.D. = 0.18). 2) When comparing student type between Thai and international students, the two groups showed no statistically significant difference in scores across the dimensions of knowledge, understanding and application. In particular, the overall scores for knowledge (t = .936), understanding (t = .318) and application (t = -.469) all pointed in the same direction, indicating that the outcome levels did not differ significantly and 3) Knowledge and understanding had a statistically significant positive influence on application, jointly explaining 28.1% of the variance. The prediction equation is Application = 4.222 + 0.130 (Knowledge) + 0.160 (Understanding). In conclusion, promoting both knowledge and understanding is a key contributing factor to students' application of the Sustainable Development Goals.