ERIC Number: ED516554
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 158
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1097-5937-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Factors Related to the Persistence and Attainment of Graduate Degrees in the Sciences by Women Science Majors
Carl, Janet E.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, St. John's University (New York), School of Education and Human Services
Researchers have shown that women remain underrepresented in the sciences particularly in doctorate degree attainment. This investigator aimed to extend previous research by examining possible causes of gender disparity in science graduate education using data from the "Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study, B&B.:93/03". Variables in categories of demographics, academic achievement, financial resources, degree expectations and attitudes toward educational experiences, future study and employment were analyzed by t tests and hierarchical regression to determine gender differences in graduate degree expectations and attainment by male and female science majors. Findings supported gender disparity in undergraduate and graduate fields of study. Women dominated health areas and earned terminal master's degrees, whereas men dominated the physical science field and attained a higher proportion of doctorate degrees. Results also showed no gender differences in master's degree attainment in other fields thus confirming that these graduates did not persist in science fields. Graduate degree expectation was a strong predictor for master's and doctorate degree attainment. Parent education had a significant effect on degree expectations but not on graduate degree attainment. Women tended to have lower degree expectations and earned fewer science and math credits than men. Results showed that unemployment and loans predicted doctorate degree attainment by men and women showed higher levels of employment in graduate school. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Majors (Students), Undergraduate Study, Females, College Credits, Sciences, Gender Differences, Academic Persistence, Educational Attainment, Womens Education, Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Bachelors Degrees, Graduate Study, Paying for College, Expectation, Student Attitudes, Males, Parent Influence
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A