Diversity and the Information Technology Workforce: An Examination of Student Perceptions

摘要

Most IT professionals would agree that diversity in TT leads to positive outcomes. However, few studies have empirically tested differences in diversity perceptions among groups. This research-in-progress develops a survey to test perceptions in four diversity categories: gender, ethnicity, age, and disability. Currently, we have begun collecting data from students in three universities. Upon completion of data collection, we plan to validate the survey instrument using factor analysis. Then we will test a series of directional hypotheses theorizing differences in diversity perceptions among groups. We will use multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze group differences and possible interaction effects. Upon completion of the study, we anticipate empirically validating a survey instrument to be used in future diversity studies, while also providing support for differences in diversity perceptions between the groups analyzed.