A model for examination of underrepresented groups in the IT workforce

摘要

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that attract as well as discourage women and other students who display an initial interest in IT careers. Of particular interest is the comparison of computer science (CS) and information systems (IS) majors because prior research has focused almost exclusively on CS students. An initial investigation of success rates in the first programming course at two universities indicates that neither gender nor age is a good predictor of success in this course. This paper presents a research model based on review of the literature and on Vroom's expectancy theory. Future research will examine the relationships between predictor variables and valence and expectancy regarding IT as a career.