Women Studies In Engineering Education: Content Analysis In Three Referred Journals

Abstract

Little is known about the research characteristics of past women studies in engineering education. In order to add knowledge base about the advanced development of women studies in current engineering education research, the purpose of the study is to investigate research characteristics of past women studies published in three referred engineering education journals from 2000 to 2009 and to propose specific research patterns for engineering educators. This study adopts a four-stage model of content analysis to analyze the collected data. The model contains four major research procedures, including sampling, conceptualization, operationalization, and coding verification. The findings show that the research patterns of past women studies are: (1) The number of annual publication for women studies is limited; (2) Few scholars from South America and Asia-Pacific engage in women studies; (3) Mixed-methods methodology is the less used research design in women studies; (4) Female engineering faculty and K-12 female students are not focuses for engineering educators; (5) Researchers tend to focus on general engineering; and (6) The current trend of research topic centers on female college engineering students’ learning experiences. The research patterns serve as research guidelines for engineering educators who try to explore women issues in engineering education. It is expected that future studies may fill the identified research gaps. Additional in-depth discussion of women studies may be increased as a result of this research.