Perceptions of students about Problems in Computing Higher Education

Abstract

Female students face various problems in the undergraduate computer science environment. In this paper we investigate undergraduate computer science students' perceptions of discrimination, harassment, drop out intention, gender devaluation, sense of belonging, gender stereotype, and self-efficacy. It also collects information about unpleasant facts that happened to students. A questionnaire was applied to two hundred and fifty students from undergraduate computer science courses from more than twenty universities in Brazil. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using statistical methods. A comparison between men and women experiences is provided. In addition, we examine correlations between issues reported by the female students and their intentions to leave university. The results show that the majority of students in both sexes have a low sense of belonging and also that men bear some of the problems. Nevertheless, women suffer more from discrimination and gender stereotype than men.