This paper provides results of a study which characterized women in science, aimed at identifying those factors thought to discriminate among males and females in the humanities, biological sciences, and physical sciences. The areas of spatial ability, attitude toward science, and rate of maturation were chosen as possible discriminating…

This study was conducted from the perspective that the under-representation of women in science is, at least partially, a consequence of learning, and therefore, may be considered a symptom of a hidden curriculum in science education. A nine page review of the literature is presented on this subject. This study investigated the direct and indirect…

The relative performance of men and women in physics courses at the University of Adelaide was investigated. Apart from first year work, there seems to be little difference between the performance of men and women despite an almost uniform ratio of about 10:1 in numbers in favor of men. (Author/JN)

The tendency of female students to avoid mathematics and science courses has been of concern to many researchers. The concern stems from the fact that avoidance of these academic areas places young women in a position of reduced choice with respect to careers. This research examined mathematics and science related attitudes and behaviors among…

In a sample of undergraduates with comparable abilities, preparation levels, and interests in science, women abandoned their plans to major in science at a significantly greater rate than men did. The different factors that predict men's and women's decisions to choose scientific fields are examined. (Author/MLW)

Investigates whether congruence in value perspectives distinguishes science-able students who persist in science from those who do not. Results with 173 undergraduates with high commitment and ability in science confirm the associations between value congruence and science persistence. For all students, justice is the dominant perspective…

Summarizes the results of a preferred method of study questionnaire in which college students explained how they approached reading a new textbook. Reports that women showed a significant preference for adopting a single method of study. Indicates that there was no discernable relationship between study strategies and college level. (CW)

The prediction of academic success of undergraduate students using an item response theory partial credit model adjusted grade point average (IRTGPA) is presented and its results are compared to those from an unweighted grade point average (GPA). The sample included 2,444 freshmen admitted in the fall of 1987 to 681 courses at a large midwestern…

Determined the role gender plays in influencing the prevalence and patterns of sexual risk taking. Responses from 245 undergraduate students show gender differences in risk-taking patterns. For females, potentially risky behavior in the partner domain was negatively related to risky behavior in the sexual practice domain, whereas for males, the…

This paper focuses on science anxiety in undergraduate education and then reviews current theories on how to reduce science anxiety. The exploration of the phenomenon of science anxiety points out that this response results not from a lack of self-confidence, but from a lack of a framework of prior knowledge to help order new knowledge; it also…

As part of the Stanford Curriculum Study, information is provided on sex differences in undergraduate students' characteristics and performance. Attention is directed to the effect of gender on major choice, classroom performance, awards earned at graduation, and related variables for graduates from 1975-1976 to 1981-1982. A comparison to national…

Discusses a study designed to investigate the effects of a cross-cultural homestay program on students' attitudes and health. Available from: International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Transaction Periodicals Consortium, Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903. (MH)

This project explored university science students' career and educational plans and looked for causes of defection from science, with particular interest in possible sources of gender difference in defection rates. A survey of 164 Canadian undergraduate students in mathematics and basic sciences found that: (1) over three fourths of the students…

This study was designed to help determine whether there are gender differences in the psychological and moral development of traditional-age college students. Two hundred thirty-three first-year and graduating students were given the Student Development Task and Lifestyle Inventory (SDTLI) and the Defining Issues Test (DIT) to determine whether…

Reports on a study of 60 University of Georgia advertising majors' self-images and perceptions of the "successful" advertising executive. (KS)