Date of Award

8-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Science Education

First Advisor

Brandy Pleasants, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Charles Henderson, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Heather Petcovic, Ph.D.

Abstract

There is a lack of information regarding the motivational experiences of Arab women undergraduate students in STEM fields in the US and the factors that contribute to their engagement and persistence in this field. This is because of their categorization as white on census documents, which renders them invisible. Research has shown that motivational beliefs are effective predictors of students' persistence especially for women from minority groups. Thus, it is important to understand the motivational experiences of Arab women students as part of the minority women in STEM in the US. Using an intersectionality framework, and a multi-component motivational model, this phenomenology study focuses on exploring the motivational experiences of Arab women students in STEM undergraduate programs and the factors that contribute to their persistence. We conducted 10 in-depth interviews with Arab women undergraduate students in STEM programs, focusing on five motivational components: intrinsic motivation, goal motivation, self-determination (SD), self-efficacy (SE), and extrinsic motivation (EM). In addition, this study examines what role participants’ Arab identity plays on their motivational experiences. Findings highlight that Intrinsic motivation is a significant component that steers participants to major in STEM. Goal motivation is the component that guides participants' persistence in this field. Self-determination, Self-efficacy, and Extrinsic motivations serve as supplemental support factors.

The results of this study shed light on this hidden population, identifying barriers that interfere with their science interests. Understanding students’ racial and cultural backgrounds from the students’ perspectives facilitates a better understanding of motivations of minority students in STEM, especially minority women.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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