Women in Mathematics and Science (1958 Cohort)

Shu-Li Cheng
PhD Student 1999-2002

National Child Development Study (NCDS) – a cohort born in one week in March, 1958 who have been followed since birth. They were aged 33 at the time of the last survey in 1991.

• To examine the social influences affecting women’s under-representation in mathematics and science-related subjects in higher education and in relevant occupations.
• To examine the factors that influence maths attainment in school, and the study of maths-related subjects in higher education.
• To assess the role of maths and science qualifications in occupational attainment and earnings.

• Construct models to investigate the factors that influence the cohort members’ mathematics attainment in schooling career.

• Explore the relationship between school attainment and degree-level qualifications in mathematics and science. Who chooses maths or science subjects at university? What is the relationship between first job and mathematics ability?
• Evaluate the occupational outcomes for those women who chose maths and science in higher education in terms of payment and occupation attainment at 33.

A set of regression analyses, which include multiple linear and logistic regression, will be conducted to examine the relationship between social factors and maths performance at different stages of cohort members’ schooling career. Analyses of the relationship between maths and science subject choices at university and occupational outcomes will also be carried out.

Contact:Shu-Li Cheng
Email: shu-li.cheng-1@stud.man.ac.uk