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Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety

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Title: Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety
Language: English
Authors: Jennifer McKinney, Mei-Lin Chang (ORCID 0000-0003-4755-2104), David Glassmeyer
Source: Journal for STEM Education Research. 2021 4(3):278-300.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: STEM Education, Majors (Students), Females, Decision Making, Influences, Student Interests, Self Efficacy, Mathematics Anxiety, Undergraduate Students, Student Attitudes, Gender Differences, Personality Traits
DOI: 10.1007/s41979-021-00050-6
ISSN: 2520-8705
2520-8713
Abstract: Gender disparities in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) degrees continue to be a global problem. Increasing equitable participation in STEM majors requires understanding how and why these disparities arise. This study examined relationships between female's selection of a STEM major, personality, STEM interest, STEM self-efficacy, and mathematics anxiety, and the relationship between those factors that affects gender disparities. Quantitative survey data from established instruments on these factors were collected from 128 female undergraduate students, including STEM (n = 60) and non-STEM majors (n = 68). Multiple Linear Regression, Binary Logistic Regression, and MANOVA were used to determine STEM self-efficacy. STEM self-efficacy was a significant variable explaining STEM interest, math anxiety, and majoring in STEM. The personality trait of openness was more significant in the female STEM majors than the non-STEM majors. This research has implications for identifying female STEM majors who may have math anxiety, decreasing those students' math anxiety, and recruiting females who would be open to a STEM career.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1420562
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennifer+McKinney%22">Jennifer McKinney</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mei-Lin+Chang%22">Mei-Lin Chang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4755-2104">0000-0003-4755-2104</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+Glassmeyer%22">David Glassmeyer</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+for+STEM+Education+Research%22"><i>Journal for STEM Education Research</i></searchLink>. 2021 4(3):278-300.
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: 23
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Majors+%28Students%29%22">Majors (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+Making%22">Decision Making</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Influences%22">Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Interests%22">Student Interests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Efficacy%22">Self Efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Anxiety%22">Mathematics Anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personality+Traits%22">Personality Traits</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1007/s41979-021-00050-6
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  Data: 2520-8705<br />2520-8713
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Gender disparities in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) degrees continue to be a global problem. Increasing equitable participation in STEM majors requires understanding how and why these disparities arise. This study examined relationships between female's selection of a STEM major, personality, STEM interest, STEM self-efficacy, and mathematics anxiety, and the relationship between those factors that affects gender disparities. Quantitative survey data from established instruments on these factors were collected from 128 female undergraduate students, including STEM (n = 60) and non-STEM majors (n = 68). Multiple Linear Regression, Binary Logistic Regression, and MANOVA were used to determine STEM self-efficacy. STEM self-efficacy was a significant variable explaining STEM interest, math anxiety, and majoring in STEM. The personality trait of openness was more significant in the female STEM majors than the non-STEM majors. This research has implications for identifying female STEM majors who may have math anxiety, decreasing those students' math anxiety, and recruiting females who would be open to a STEM career.
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  Data: 2024
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        Value: 10.1007/s41979-021-00050-6
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 278
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Majors (Students)
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      – SubjectFull: Females
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      – SubjectFull: Decision Making
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      – SubjectFull: Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Student Interests
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      – SubjectFull: Self Efficacy
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Anxiety
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Personality Traits
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      – TitleFull: Why Females Choose STEM Majors: Understanding the Relationships between Major, Personality, Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Anxiety
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