Student Perceptions of Geology and Implications for Choosing Among Different Science Majors

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Friday, June 18, 2010 | 18 mins
Series: AGI Webinars

In this webinar, Dr. Thomas D. Hoisch from Northern Arizona University examines the results from a survey of 783 students in introductory geology classes at Northern Arizona University during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters that examined their perceptions and attitudes toward the sciences.

Student Perceptions of Geology and Implications for Choosing Among Different Science Majors

In this webinar, Dr. Thomas D. Hoisch from Northern Arizona University examines the results from a survey of 783 students in introductory geology classes that were surveyed at Northern Arizona University during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. The survey evaluated the perceptions and attitudes toward the sciences that are offered as undergraduate degree programs: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, and Physics. The survey results indicate that misperceptions exist regarding the field of geology. Geology was perceived to be low in prestige, low in difficulty and low-paying relative to biology, chemistry, and physics. In addition, geology occupations were perceived to pay less than students’ minimum salary expectations. Student perceptions of prestige, difficulty and pay are significantly correlated, with students tending to associate higher pay with greater prestige and difficulty (Hoisch and Bowie, 2010). Read more in Currents #36.

References:
Hoisch, T.D., and Bowie, J.I., 2010, Assessing factors that influence the recruitment of majors from introductory geology classes at Northern Arizona University. J. Geoscience Education, v. 58, p. 166-176. http://nagt-jge.org/doi/pdf/10.5408/1.3544297