Table 6 Descriptive statistics for the individual VESAS items (N = 356)
Item no. | Wording | M | SD | SK | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Item 1 | Working in a STEM field would be a waste of my time (R) | 4.54 | .75 | − 1.81 | 3.5 |
Item 2 | I would take a course in STEM even if it were not required | 3.98 | .95 | − 1.02 | .97 |
Item 3 | I find STEM-related jobs very interesting | 4.24 | .82 | − 1.13 | 1.51 |
Item 4 | I don’t think working in a STEM field would help me achieve my professional aspirations (R) | 4.15 | 1.03 | − 1.10 | .289 |
Item 5 | STEM is an important field for me | 4.27 | .77 | − .95 | .81 |
Item 6 | I would enjoy working in a STEM field | 4.18 | .91 | − 1.22 | 1.38 |
Item 7 | I would rather do something else than take on a STEM-related job | 3.77 | 1.04 | − .59 | − .30 |
Item 8 | I am not interested in a degree in STEM | 4.10 | 1.06 | − 1.78 | .74 |
Item 9 | STEM is a good college major for me | 4.00 | 1.01 | − .91 | .22 |
Item 10 | STEM classes are boring | 3.95 | .86 | − .60 | .09 |
Item 11 | Being in a STEM class would be fun for me | 3.94 | .89 | − .92 | 1.02 |
Item 12 | The idea of being in a STEM class excites me | 3.85 | .94 | − .63 | .15 |
Item 13 | I would enjoy taking STEM courses | 4.00 | .87 | − 1.02 | 1.42 |
Item 14 | I dislike STEM courses (R) | 4.03 | .87 | − 1.00 | 1.10 |
Item 15 | I feel I have what it takes to succeed in a STEM-related job | 4.07 | .86 | − .81 | .44 |
Item 16 | I would certainly feel useless in a STEM-related job (R) | 4.19 | .87 | − 1.19 | 1.64 |
Item 17 | I feel I have a number of good qualities to be successful in a STEM field | 4.17 | .74 | − .99 | 2.18 |
Item 18 | I don’t think I can make an impact if I take on a STEM-related job (R) | 4.07 | .93 | 1.06 | .88 |
Item 19 | I feel I would have something to be proud of as a STEM professional | 4.33 | .74 | − 1.19 | 2.16 |
Item 20 | I don’t think I will succeed in a STEM field (R) | 4.07 | .95 | − 1.12 | 1.10 |
Item 21 | I would be able to succeed in a STEM field as well as most other people | 4.03 | .87 | − .96 | 1.05 |
Item 22 | I do not think I can achieve anything meaningful as a STEM professional (R) | 4.26 | .83 | − 1.11 | 1.14 |