Thesis
A mixed-methods investigation of factors that influence students to study a computer science major in Scotland and Saudi Arabia
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2022
- Thesis identifier
- T16267
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201675603
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- This thesis investigates the factors that influenced students to choose a ComputerScience (CS) related major at university in both Scotland and Saudi Arabia. Theresearch used Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to investigate the role of self-efficacy, prior experience, social support, and outcome expectation in influencing thischoice. The research also investigated the influence of society’s perceptions of aComputer Science degree. Scotland and Saudi Arabia are compared, as there is muchgreater gender balance in Saudi Arabia. The main contribution of the thesis is toidentify factors which could help increase female participation in Computer Science,particularly in Scotland. The findings also have the potential to enhance the experienceof all students prior to university. The research used an exploratory sequential mixedmethods design, starting with semi-structured interviews (17 from Scotland, 11 fromSaudi Arabia), followed by an online questionnaire to confirm and expand the initialresults (192 responses from Scotland, 341 from Saudi Arabia). The research found thatprior experience was not a major influence on student decisions, perhaps because theschool curriculum is too focused on applications rather than on programming andproblem solving. Encouragement from others seemed to play a major role, particularlyfor females in Scotland. Increasing the visibility of female role models has thepotential to increase female participation. Self-efficacy seemed to be an importantinfluence, derived from maths and problem-solving skills, prior use of technology indaily life, or an interest in creating and designing new things. The expected outcomesfrom a Computer Science major were found to be a very strong influence, with manystudents choosing Computer Science rather than their favourite school subject becauseof this. Society’s perception of a Computer Science major, and those who study it,could be an influence, particularly in Scotland if Computer Science is viewed as male-dominated.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Wood, Murray
- Ross, Isla
- Resource Type
- Note
- Previously held under moratorium from 31st May 2022 until 31st May 2024.
- DOI
- Funder
Relations
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PDF of thesis T16267 | 2022-06-21 | Public | Download |