Table 1 Focus questions in focus group guide
Question Number | Focus Question |
|---|---|
1. | Please tell us a little bit about your self- How would you define your personality? What do you enjoy doing most? How does Science, Technology, Engineering or Math fit in with that definition? |
2. | How long have you been interested in STEM? Was there a particular experience that you can remember that sparked that interest as a child, middle and high school student, and now college? If yes, can you please explain? |
3. | Describe yourself as a student. What was your original declared major? What is your major now? What are your best subjects? Why? What are your least favorite subjects? Why? |
4. | How would you define the culture of the university/department/program? Please comment on the role of faculty in creating this culture. Has this culture influenced your decision to pursue and or persist in a STEM major? Any specific examples? |
5. | Do you know other women at Texas State that were pursuing a STEM field of study but then changed majors before completing? Do you have any ideas of the kinds of issues that may have caused them to change? |
6. | Over 50% of the students at Texas State are women, but only 20% of the students in STEM are women. Why do you think more women are not here? |
7. | In what ways has your family been a support (or not) to you regarding pursuing your career choice? Do you think there are barriers to women with careers in STEM? Why? Do you think this is changing? Why? |
8. | What do you think of current programs on campus and across the country that aim to increase the number of women in STEM fields? What is the most important action that Texas State University can take to increase the number of women who graduate with STEM degrees? Are you in any mentorship programs? |