Factors which influence women's decision to major in computer science in college

This study was designed to examine the perception of women in computer science and the factors that influence women to major in computer science in college. The major focus of the research was the experiences and attitudes of college women computer science majors. What in their lives and experiences influenced them to choose computer science as their college major? The areas of family background, early childhood experiences, play, high school years, critical incidents, and attitudes about their educational experience were explored in an interview setting. Information was collected by interviewing twelve women who elected to major in computer science at a state university. Their stories are reported in their own words and interview material uses pseudonyms. A descriptive analysis compares and contrasts commonalities, parallel developments, and differences, in the women's lives. A microcomputer program called Ethno was used to help analyze the data from the study. Ethno recorded and analyzed material from the interviews, then drew a diagram of the events in each of the women's lives. Ethno's diagrams used with a descriptive analysis are included. Findings indicate that the women came from positive, supportive families. Seven of the women were the only girl in the family. Several of the women believed they were more influenced by their father. Many of the women, when they were young, preferred active, physical play. Many of the women from an early age preferred the company of males at school and at play. Most of the women reported that in high school their favorite subjects included mathematics. More often than not the women had not gone directly into computer science when they first entered college, but switched into computer science at a later time. The women, of an independent and practical nature, reported a positive educational experience in the field of computer science. The women's attitudes revealed confidence in their ability to do well in computer science. Recommendations to teachers and counselors, colleges, and researchers, include ways to foster women's participation in the male-dominated areas of science, mathematics, and computer science.