Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Jamie Patterson

Abstract

AbstractA disproportionate number of European American male students are enrolled in cyberscience undergraduate degree programs, despite attempts to attract diverse student populations in the field. The purpose of the basic qualitative study was to gain a better understanding on how cyberscience academic experts perceive the challenges related to the disproportionate number of European American male students enrolled in cyberscience degree programs nationwide and how to attract college students from diverse backgrounds for cyberscience programs. Using Rogers’s diffusion of innovation, the research questions explored cyberscience academic expert perceptions of the challenges of enrollment in cyberscience programs and attracting students from diverse backgrounds. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit individuals who met the definition of academic experts in cyberscience and with knowledge of the challenges posed by the disproportionate number of European American male students in the cyberscience field. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with eight participants. Data were analyzed using a priori and open coding of interview transcripts. Four conclusions can be drawn from the findings: all experts agree that diversity is needed in the field and that higher education has an important role in bringing about diversity, more workers are needed in the United States, several academic experts do not see cyberscience curriculum as appropriate to address the need for more diversity, and there is a consensus that properly briefed and informed college and university enrollment teams do have a key role in bringing about this needed diversity. Positive social change may occur because the findings could inform university officials on how to attract diverse populations, thereby increasing inclusion in this field while addressing the job shortage.

Download

Share

 
COinS