Title :
Work in progress — Does learning about research affect the graduate degree aspirations of STEM undergraduates? A path analysis
Author :
Strayhorn, Terrell L.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Abstract :
Path analysis techniques were employed to test a multi-stage causal model positing the influence of perceived learning gains on graduate degree aspirations among STEM undergraduates in structured undergraduate research experience (SURE) programs. Survey responses from 108 students enrolled in 4 SUREs at 3 major research universities were analyzed. Results suggest that research self-efficacy mediated, or served as an explanatory variable for, the effect of perceived learning gains in three areas on graduate degree aspirations. Other results suggest the value-added impact of SUREs on aspirations for graduate study. Findings lend support to the role of self-efficacy as explained in existing theory.
Keywords :
educational courses; engineering education; further education; mathematics; research and development; technology; STEM undergraduates; graduate degree aspiration; learning; multistage causal model testing; research universities; structured undergraduate research experience programs; survey responses; Analytical models; Conferences; Data models; Educational institutions; Engineering profession; Medical services; STEM; learning; quantitative; undergraduate research;
Conference_Titel :
Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2010 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-6261-2
Electronic_ISBN :
0190-5848
DOI :
10.1109/FIE.2010.5673403
