Developing a Survey of Climate Constructs Associated With Engineering Doctoral Student Retention: An Intersectional Approach

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 9:00 am
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding STEM Student Experiences: Wayfinding, Advising, and Climate (Table 31)

Abstract

We developed a valid and reliable instrument to assess the climate constructs contributing to the retention or attrition of engineering doctoral students from underrepresented groups (i.e., on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, and disability). Based on a review of existing climate research, we identified seven climate constructs with face validity, relevant to the retention of engineering doctoral students from diverse underrepresented groups. Constructs include Diversity, Authenticity, Psychological Safety, Motivation for Mastery, Motivation for Performance, Perceived Cultural Diversity, and Organizational Support climates. Next, we surveyed a sample of engineering doctoral students, and report here the construct validity and internal consistency of those climate constructs. Reliability of the 41-item scale was excellent, with subscales ranging from Cronbach’s α = 0.718-0.965.

Authors

• So Yoon Yoon, University of Cincinnati

• Julie Aldridge, The Ohio State University

• Nicole M. Else-Quest, University of California - Los Angeles