A research report that explores why female learners opt out of physics at the age of 16.
The project focuses on written statements from students taking an Access to Medicine diploma, and quantitative data from sixth form and undergraduate physics students to represent a cross section of educational sectors. It analyses these sources separately, as they come from different years and are analysed as qualitative and quantitative sources, respectively, eschewing a mixed methods approach.
The researcher identifeid a wide range of possible explanations for females opting out of physics, including: female learners can feel put off by the prospect of being the minority sex amongst a predominantly male work force; physics and its associated careers can be perceived as masculine; there are fewer female role models in physics than male ones; physics was an uninspiring experience at school, posisbly because it was taught by non specialists; there is a lack of provision for career guidance in the education system; although some parents affect subject choice, this may be in the context of a lack of career advice and may also be gender biased; and there is a perception that physics is an inherently difficult subject.
LSIS Research Development Fellowship