Increasing Female Participation in Science and Technology Careers: Problems and suggested Interventions from Nigeria

Abstract

The study utilized a modified adaptation of the Science Career Predictor Scale (SCPS) to assess eight factors involved with science career choices: Interest, Enrolment, Masculine image of science, Social barriers, Role Model, School factor, Teacher factor and Parental factor. The instrument was administered to a sample of 375 females enrolled in a general studies programme in the 2010/2011 academic session at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. The sample was then sub divided into female science major and female non-science major groups. A student’s t-test was used to compare the responses of the two groups.

Result indicated that the group means were significant for enrolment, social barriers and role models. The group means for interest, masculine image of science, school, teacher and parental factors were found not to be significant.

The paper concludes that because females and males appear to possess equal potential to develop the skills required for the pursuit of science it is both a waste of talent and a deprivation to individuals that the two sexes do not participate equally in science.

Keywords: Female participation in science, Female underrepresentation in science, Science careers, Gender differences in science.