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Women's Perceptions of the Climate in Engineering Technology Programs
Author(s) -
Gallaher Janna,
Pearson Frances
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.896
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 2168-9830
pISSN - 1069-4730
DOI - 10.1002/j.2168-9830.2000.tb00530.x
Subject(s) - perception , competition (biology) , norm (philosophy) , inclusion (mineral) , psychology , science and engineering , engineering education , mathematics education , social psychology , engineering , political science , engineering ethics , engineering management , ecology , neuroscience , law , biology
A review of the literature shows that women learn and behave in ways that differ from the norm in engineering, science, and mathematics, but no research has been done specifically on women in engineering technology. In order to determine whether there is a difference between what women in engineering technology perceive as important to them and what exists in their academic programs, we conducted a survey of 100 female students from 2‐year and 4‐year schools throughout the country. Specifically, we were interested in their perceptions of competition and challenge, faculty support, recognition of their abilities, peer support, and inclusion in the program. The results showed significant differences between what was important to them and what they perceive exists in the program in all areas except competition and challenge. Differences were also found based upon demographic variables.