Do Relative Advantages in STEM Grades Explain the Gender Gap in Selection of a STEM Major in College? A Multimethod Answer
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| Title: | Do Relative Advantages in STEM Grades Explain the Gender Gap in Selection of a STEM Major in College? A Multimethod Answer |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Stearns, Elizabeth (ORCID |
| Source: | American Educational Research Journal. Feb 2020 57(1):218-257. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 40 |
| Publication Date: | 2020 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF) |
| Contract Number: | DUE0969286 DRL1420363 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | STEM Education, Grades (Scholastic), Gender Differences, Majors (Students), Academic Achievement, College Seniors, Student Interests, Self Esteem, Decision Making, Undergraduate Students, Student Characteristics, College Bound Students, High School Students, Institutional Characteristics, Colleges, High Schools, Racial Differences, Ethnicity |
| Geographic Terms: | North Carolina |
| DOI: | 10.3102/0002831219853533 |
| ISSN: | 0002-8312 |
| Abstract: | Using a multimethod approach, we investigate whether gender gaps in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major declaration in college are explained by differences in the grades that students earn in STEM versus non-STEM subjects. With quantitative data, we find that relative advantages in college academic performance in STEM versus non-STEM subjects do not contribute to the gender gap in STEM major declaration. To explore alternative explanations for gender gaps in major declaration, we analyze interviews with college seniors, finding that they recognize many other factors, including their interests in subject matter and confidence, are key in pushing them from STEM or pulling them into non-STEM majors. We conclude that future research seeking to account for gender gaps in STEM majors must extend beyond academic performance. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2020 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1241677 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Using a multimethod approach, we investigate whether gender gaps in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major declaration in college are explained by differences in the grades that students earn in STEM versus non-STEM subjects. With quantitative data, we find that relative advantages in college academic performance in STEM versus non-STEM subjects do not contribute to the gender gap in STEM major declaration. To explore alternative explanations for gender gaps in major declaration, we analyze interviews with college seniors, finding that they recognize many other factors, including their interests in subject matter and confidence, are key in pushing them from STEM or pulling them into non-STEM majors. We conclude that future research seeking to account for gender gaps in STEM majors must extend beyond academic performance. |
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| ISSN: | 0002-8312 |
| DOI: | 10.3102/0002831219853533 |
