Women's self-efficacy perceptions in mathematics and science: Investigating USC-MESA students | Posted on:2010-03-17 | Degree:Ed.D | Type:Dissertation | University:University of Southern California | Candidate:Hong, Rebecca Cheng-Shun | Full Text:PDF | GTID:1447390002971364 | Subject:Education | Abstract/Summary: | | This study is an investigation into female high school seniors in the USC-MESA program and how the role of self-efficacy perceptions in mathematics and science relates to their college major choice. Bandura's theory on self-efficacy provides the backdrop for this study. This study is qualitative and takes an ethnographic approach incorporating 23 interviews, 2 focus groups, 49.5 hours of observation, and document analysis. Results show that female high school seniors participating in the USC-MESA program demonstrate a strong self-efficacy perception in mathematics and science through their academic choices and pursuits in high school and beyond. This finding confirms a linear approach in understanding how courses taken in high school contribute to the trajectory of college academic choices. It also challenges the theory of self-efficacy in math and science to examine historically underrepresented populations in the field and the external factors that play a key role in their persistence to pursue STEM fields in college and beyond. | Keywords/Search Tags: | USC-MESA, Self-efficacy, High school, Mathematics and science | | Related items |
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