Why did you choose to study science? Survey

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a survey conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia, aimed at understanding why individuals choose to study science and science-related fields. The survey targets anyone who has completed tertiary science studies, regardless of their current employment status in science-related areas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Colin Hanbury introduces a survey to gather data on motivations for studying science, emphasizing the importance of diverse responses.
  • Some participants express support for the survey, encouraging others in academia or industry to participate.
  • One participant critiques the survey's representativeness, suggesting it relies on a cluster sample from a limited demographic and advocates for stratified sampling for accuracy.
  • Another participant counters that the survey is being promoted beyond the forum, aiming for a global reach and qualitative demographic analysis.
  • A participant mentions their connections in agricultural sciences and their efforts to disseminate the survey widely across various platforms.
  • One individual expresses interest in the survey but feels unqualified to participate due to not having completed their degrees yet.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of the survey but express differing views on its representativeness and methodology. There is no consensus on the adequacy of the sampling approach used.

Contextual Notes

Concerns about the survey's representativeness highlight potential limitations in sampling methods and demographic diversity, which may affect the overall validity of the findings.

ColinH
I am conducting research at the University of Western Australia on why people chose to study in science and science-related areas. Part of this is an international on-line survey.

The survey is for anyone who completed tertiary science (and applied science) studies after leaving school – the greater the diversity of the respondents the better will be the results. You don't have to be currently working in science-related areas. If you want your country and discipline to be represented then please participate, and please send your friends and colleagues in science-related areas the survey link:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/409857/Science"

All responses are anonymous and the individual responses will remain confidential. Following statistical analysis the overall results will be published during 2011. The report will be available as a PDF at "[URL
[/URL]
If you would like to know more, then please contact Dr Colin Hanbury at colin.hanbury@uwa.edu.au (Phone +61 8 6488 2508), or Assoc. Prof. Nancy Longnecker at nancy.longnecker@uwa.edu.au (Phone +61 8 6488 3926).

Important points for you to consider
• Most developed countries are witnessing falls in school students opting for science subjects and for university science-based courses; however, the trend is opposite in developing countries.
• It is important for our combined social and economic future for people to be scientifically literate and for there to be sufficient well-qualified people to take up science-based occupations.
• This survey will help us understand the issues related to students’ selecting of science at school, and will enable comparisons across different cultures and countries.

Please answer the survey – it should take no longer than 15 minutes.

Thanks
Colin Hanbury
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
This is an excellent survey! I just completed it and I think everyone that is either, a professor, working in industry, or currently studying science in school should finish it.

Thanks for informing us!
 
the study is not representative of the world population. This is called a cluster sample because a limited demographic peruse these forums. If you want accurate results you should use stratified samples on physical campuses world wide
 
Excuse me, "{~}", but this is undoubtedly not the only place where the survey has spread to and the idea is to have anyone who is in academics or who has studied science in the past anywhere in the world take the survey. Obviously there will be a qualitative analysis of the demographic, which is why certain questions like age and country of citizenship are asked.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As Caramon suggested, this is not the only place this survey is being promoted. Most of my personal connections are in agricultural sciences and plant biology. Accordingly, I am using forums, publications and colleagues etc to reach as broadly as possible across sciences and applied sciences. Feel free to send the link to colleagues and friends with science and applied science qualifications.
 
or currently studying science in school should finish it.

I would as it seems like a good survey, however, I am not "qualified" as I have not received my degrees yet.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K