Using Forward and Backward Snowballing to Synthesize Qualitative Research on Women of Color in Engineering

• In Event: Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: VISUALizing Qualitative Methods

Abstract

Few scholars share detailed methods for producing literature syntheses of qualitative research. This paper fills that gap by reporting on a recently conducted synthesis of primarily qualitative empirical research on women of color in engineering education and early careers. First, we describe processes for choosing a search engine and developing search terms and selection criteria. Next, we discuss our adaptation of Wohlin’s (2014) search and selection methods for “forward” and “backward” snowballing; ours is one of the first applications of its kind in education. Then, we briefly describe our coding and analysis procedures using systematic analysis. Finally, we describe the significance of our contributions to the snowballing methodology and to the existing knowledge base on women of color in engineering.

Authors

• Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, TERC

• Maria (Mia) Ong, TERC

• Lily Ko, TERC

• Apriel K. Hodari, Council for Opportunity in Education