| This study describes the computing experiences of a group of females selected from the population of a northeastern college in the year 1993--1994. The study involved an extended review of related literature and in-depth interviewing undertaken by the researcher. A phenomenological orientation was used. Sampling was purposive, subjects being limited to those who had some computing experiences. Data collection and management techniques included verbatim transcriptions of recorded in-depth interviews. Data analysis was in the form of pattern discovery, identification of themes, and synthesis of all relevant data. This process brought about the formulation of themes into six major categories: incentives and motivators toward machinery/computers, early responses to machinery/computing, the math connection, affective responses toward machinery/computers, and teachers and teaching. In the concluding chapter, the individual narratives are discussed and parallels between them are drawn. Key points meriting further discussion are identified. Related literature is also discussed where it is relevant to the patterns found in the narrations. |
