Gender Difference in Computer Skills

Reference: Shotick, J, & Stephens, P. R. (2006).

Gender Inequalities of Self-Efficacy on Task-Specific Computer Applications in Business. Journal of

Education for Business. 81(5), 269-274.

Article Review

Problem

• Hypothesis: male and female college students have significantly different opinions of their own skill level regarding various business-related computer tasks

Context

• 137 college freshmen– (69 female, 68 male)

• Private midwestern college– (Bradley University?)

• Computer use in high school classes:– 75% female, 80% male– 46% F, 55% M had programming classes

• All but one had computer(s) at home

Context

• Given 21 metrics: specific tasks done with computers– Email, Chat– Word Processing, Spreadsheets– Powerpoint, database use– FTP, groupware, etc

• Self-score ability level:– 0 = no ability– 1 = very low ability 5 = very good ability

• Averages, then pooled variance t test

Results• Differences exist!• 8 metrics = no significant difference

• 13 metrics = p<.05

Results

• Metrics • Why the difference?– “Communications Functions” (no dif) vs “Technical & Mathematical (dif)

– Society’s Gender Schema at work?

– Most students (90%) stated they learned skills through self study

Recommendations

• Conduct objective tests!– Determine actual skill level– Help concentrate on specific training

• Instructional Designers– Realize there is a perceived difference in skills

– Reasonable to carry results to general population of computer users

– Deliver training using skills with smallest perceived difference

Questions?