Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming

Nea Pirttinen; Arto Hellas; Lassi Haaranen; Rodrigo Duran

doi:10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9273884

Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming

Nea Pirttinen, Arto Hellas, Lassi Haaranen, Rodrigo Duran

University of Helsinki

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

208 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The term Confidence Gap refers to the phenomenon of men being more confident in their ability to succeed in their studies and elsewhere. It is an acknowledged phenomenon both in Computer Science as well as STEM subjects at large, likely influencing students’ career path choices and selection of study major. In this work, we analyze data from multiple introductory programming courses. We do this by looking at the interaction of (1) students’ performance measured in terms of completed assignments, (2) self-reported confidence in the ability to succeed in the programming course, (3) major, and (4) gender. Aligned with prior research, we observe the existence of the Confidence Gap. At the same time, men and women who chose Computer Science as their major are more confident in their ability to succeed in their first programming course than their counterparts in other subjects.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)
Publisher	IEEE
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-7281-8961-1
ISBN (Print)	978-1-7281-8962-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9273884
Publication status	Published - 21 Oct 2020
MoE publication type	A4 Conference publication
Event	Frontiers in Education Conference - Uppsala, Sweden Duration: 21 Oct 2020 → 24 Oct 2020 https://www.fie2020.org/

Publication series

Name	IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)
Publisher	IEEE
ISSN (Print)	1539-4565
ISSN (Electronic)	2377-634X

Conference

Conference	Frontiers in Education Conference
Abbreviated title	FIE
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Uppsala
Period	21/10/2020 → 24/10/2020
Internet address	https://www.fie2020.org/

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10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9273884

SCI_Hellas_Study Major, Gender, and Confidence GapAccepted author manuscript, 241 KB

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title = "Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming",

abstract = "The term Confidence Gap refers to the phenomenon of men being more confident in their ability to succeed in their studies and elsewhere. It is an acknowledged phenomenon both in Computer Science as well as STEM subjects at large, likely influencing students{\textquoteright} career path choices and selection of study major. In this work, we analyze data from multiple introductory programming courses. We do this by looking at the interaction of (1) students{\textquoteright} performance measured in terms of completed assignments, (2) self-reported confidence in the ability to succeed in the programming course, (3) major, and (4) gender. Aligned with prior research, we observe the existence of the Confidence Gap. At the same time, men and women who chose Computer Science as their major are more confident in their ability to succeed in their first programming course than their counterparts in other subjects.",

author = "Nea Pirttinen and Arto Hellas and Lassi Haaranen and Rodrigo Duran",

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publisher = "IEEE",

booktitle = "2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)",

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note = "Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE ; Conference date: 21-10-2020 Through 24-10-2020",

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Pirttinen, N, Hellas, A , Haaranen, L & Duran, R 2020, Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming. in 2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)., 9273884, IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), IEEE, Frontiers in Education Conference, Uppsala, Sweden, 21/10/2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9273884

Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming. / Pirttinen, Nea; Hellas, Arto ; Haaranen, Lassi et al.
2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). IEEE, 2020. 9273884 (IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

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T1 - Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming

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AU - Duran, Rodrigo

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AB - The term Confidence Gap refers to the phenomenon of men being more confident in their ability to succeed in their studies and elsewhere. It is an acknowledged phenomenon both in Computer Science as well as STEM subjects at large, likely influencing students’ career path choices and selection of study major. In this work, we analyze data from multiple introductory programming courses. We do this by looking at the interaction of (1) students’ performance measured in terms of completed assignments, (2) self-reported confidence in the ability to succeed in the programming course, (3) major, and (4) gender. Aligned with prior research, we observe the existence of the Confidence Gap. At the same time, men and women who chose Computer Science as their major are more confident in their ability to succeed in their first programming course than their counterparts in other subjects.

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Study Major, Gender, and Confidence Gap: Effects on Experience, Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Introductory Programming

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