150 likes | 270 Views
The Role of Identity Development, Values, and Costs in College STEM Retention . Authors: Tony Perez, Jennifer G. Cromley , and Avi Kaplan Temple University Oral Report 1 Michelle Ware. Introduction: Need.
E N D
The Role of Identity Development, Values, and Costs in College STEM Retention Authors: Tony Perez, Jennifer G. Cromley, and Avi Kaplan Temple University Oral Report 1 Michelle Ware
Introduction: Need • Expectancy-value theory (Eccles,1983) provides a framework for the link between achievement motivation and choice behavior • Competence beliefs and values have been found to be factors in achievement motivation and choice behavior in STEM subjects (Chow, Eccles, & Salmela-Aro, 2012) • Past research has lacked in exploring the development of competence beliefs and values as well as in examining the “cost” of pursuing STEM disciplines.
Introduction: Purpose • What role does identity development play in students’ motivational beliefs and retention intentions? • Does perceived cost contribute to students’ retention intentions above and beyond values and competence beliefs? • What role do motivational beliefs play in chemistry grades and retention intentions over a semester? • Do different kinds of perceived cost contribute differentially to students’ retention intentions?
Sample • Participants (N = 363) at a large, urban university • Enrolled in a Chemistry 2 Lab Course • Freshman (62%) and Sophomores (21%) • 45% Caucasian, 56% (Asian, African American, Indian Subcontinent, Middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, other races, and mixed races) • 96.5% either were STEM majors (e.g., biology, chemistry), on a STEM track (e.g., pre-med, pre- pharmacy), or intended to declare a STEM major
Method • Single-semester longitudinal design • 15-week semester • Online surveys were administered (2ndand 8thweek) • Competence beliefs • Values • Self-perceived cost • Foreclosed & Achieved Identity • Students self-reported their chemistry exam grades and intentions to leave STEM (5thand 13thweek)
Results: Question 1 & 2 What role does identity development play in students’ motivational beliefs and retention intentions? Does perceived cost contribute to students’ retention intentions above and beyond values and competence beliefs?
Results: Question 3 What role do motivational beliefs play in chemistry grades and retention intentions over a semester?
Results: Question 4 Do different kinds of perceived cost contribute differentially to students’ retention intentions?
Results: Conclusion • Differences in motivation between students who have explored their career identity and those who have not • Performance in chemistry may effect motivation in STEM over the course of a semester • Perception of cost required to be successful in STEM can play an important role in students’ decisions to leave STEM.
Results: Limitations • Only assessing performance in for chemistry • Causal relationships were unable to be confirmed between motivation and identity • Foreclosed identity may not accurately reflect the commitments of the students
Results: Implications • Future research needs to further examine the role of cost in academic choice of STEM majors • Impact chemistry may have on the motivation of STEM majors • Re-examine influence on STEM retention efforts.