An Analysis of Preferences for Science and the Role Gender Differences Plays in Determining Preferences for It Amongst Elementary School Students

성별에 따른 초등학생의 과학 선호도 차이와 과학 선호도에 영향을 주는 요인 분석

The purpose of this study is to find out the differences (if any) and the causes of preferences for science between elementary school boys and girls. Another purpose of this study is to find out when such differences in preference begin and what their causes we. Fourth, fifth and sixth grades from elementary school A in Gyeongg-gi Province participated twice in research surveys on preference levels in science with education, career course and personal experience taken into account. A total of 997 survey responses, (excluding no responses or half-hearted ones) were selected for comparative analysis. The analysis methods used were frequency analysis, cross stabs and one-way ANOVA Analysis which depended on survey items. The results of this study show that preference levels in science are 61.7% and the difference of preference levels in science between boys and girls are 31.2% and 30.5% with boys showing higher percentages in science preference levels than girls(p<.01). Moreover, the results also show that the point in which changes in preference level in science emerges is from fifth and sixth grades. Therefore, the gender difference in preference levels in science begins with fifth grade students, with science being slightly more favored by boys. finally, the main causes in gender differences seems to be the experiment participants' levels, scientific education textbook preference level, interests in science class, and plans for the future that are related to field of science. Among these causes, interests level in science class and preference levels in science are closely related.