No page number on the title page.

The name of the

specific school is no

longer necessary.

The top, right, and bottom

margins should be set to 1

inch. The left margin should

be set to 1 ¼ inch.

Tip: The first page of

your document is

scanned, so be sure

that everything is clear

and easy to read.

Tip: Be sure this page is signed by your

Committee Chair. And, carefully check the

spelling of all Committee Members’ names.

Student Name

ii

Copyright by

STUDENT NAME

Year

Include a copyright statement.

Page numbers begin on this page. They should be centered

in the footer and use Roman numerals, beginning with ii.

iii

Women staying in STEM professions long-term: A motivation model

by

Student Name

Abstract

This qualitative grounded theory study sought to identify what motivates women to stay

in or return to science, technology, engineering, and math professions (STEM) long-term,

leading to a motivation model. Twenty women, each having a minimum of 10 years of

experience in STEM professions, participated in the study. Four of the 20 participants had a

career path where they left the STEM workplace for more than 26 weeks and then returned. The

results of this study suggested that there may be five themes related to motivating factors for

women who stay in STEM professions long term: (a) interest in STEM is the constant as

individual needs and priorities change, (b) direct manager influence on development is critical,

(c) performance-based workplace policies and culture are continuously sought, (d) moving

towards a no-bias workplace remains important, and (e) the career growth path at life’s

crossroads remains a challenge. While this study’s results suggested that some bias does still

exist in the STEM workplace, as previously documented, the results suggested that an equitable

workplace does not yet exist regarding career growth opportunities. As career growth is one of

the motivating factors for women in STEM and environments for career growth opportunities

vary in the workplace, this study’s results also suggested that career growth opportunities

continue to be a barrier for women in STEM.

Keywords: women, science, engineering, math, technology, STEM, career, motivation,

qualitative analysis, grounded theory, career growth, modern workplace

Indent the first line of your abstract.

In your abstract, include a concise description of

the study, including the problem and purpose, and

a brief summary of the findings and implications.

Include

several

key words

and write

them in

italics.

Use two

spaces

after the

end of a

sentence.

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the women in STEM professions who openly shared their experiences

with me and contributed to this dissertation. It is my hope that this work, created in part by your

collective stories and insights, will help provoke thought for future generations.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for my Dissertation Chair,

Dr. Wayland Secrest, for the countless hours of review, counsel, and encouragement over the past

two and a half years. Your coaching throughout helped me to stay focused and I sincerely

appreciated your guidance as I crossed each milestone. I would also like to thank my Dissertation

Committee members, Dr. Lani Robbins and Dr. Irene Stein, also for your countless hours of review

and counsel, and for your genuine enthusiasm for this study.

I would also like to thank my family and friends who supported me throughout this journey.

Your ongoing interest and enthusiasm energized me as I reached the various milestones. I treasure

you all.

Last, to my husband Jon. I am lost for words that could begin to capture how grateful I am

for you. Thank you very much for not just carrying me through this, but for making it fun along

the way. You are my steady reminder as to what is important. I love you.

v

DEDICATION

To my husband, Jon. Thank you for your love and unwavering support.

The Dedication page is

completely optional.

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1

General Statement ......................................................................................................................1

Statement of Problem .................................................................................................................5

Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................................6

Theoretical Framework ..............................................................................................................9

Research Questions ..................................................................................................................11

Overview of Research Design .................................................................................................11

Definition of Terms..................................................................................................................12

Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations ..........................................................................14

Summary ..................................................................................................................................15

CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................................................17

Search Strategy ........................................................................................................................17

History on Barriers for Women in STEM................................................................................18

Early Stereotypes ...............................................................................................................19

Doors Opened by Equal Rights Legislation.......................................................................19

Workplace Recognition Barriers........................................................................................20

Workplace Culture Barriers ...............................................................................................21

Self-Efficacy Barriers ........................................................................................................21

Career Fit ...........................................................................................................................22

Social System Bias Barriers ...............................................................................................22

Additional Barriers for Women in Non-Linear Careers ....................................................23

International Emphasis on STEM Professions ........................................................................23

Use all caps for chapter titles.

Make sure all page

numbers are aligned and

flush right.

Use Roman numerals for the chapter numbers.

vii

STEM Workforce.....................................................................................................................25

General Population Workforce ................................................................................................25

STEM Workforce Supply and Demand .............................................................................26

Groups Studied in the Literature .............................................................................................27

University Students Studying in STEM fields ..................................................................28

Faculty Specializing in STEM ...........................................................................................28

Professionals in STEM Industries ......................................................................................28

Extrinsic Considerations in Removing Barriers for Women in STEM ...................................29

Society ...............................................................................................................................30

Industry ..............................................................................................................................31

Intrinsic Considerations for Overcoming Barriers ...................................................................33

Employee Motivation, Retention, and Turnover .......................................................................34

Motivation for Individuals .................................................................................................34

Motivation in Groups .........................................................................................................34

Contemporary Workplace Motivation Theories ................................................................35

Motivation of Women in the Workplace ...........................................................................38

Retention and Job Satisfaction ...........................................................................................40

Turnover .............................................................................................................................42

Summary ..................................................................................................................................45

CHAPTER III : METHODS & RATIONALE ..............................................................................47

Research Questions ..................................................................................................................47

Methodology Selected .............................................................................................................47

Grounded Theory Methodology ........................................................................................48

Include all

Chapter

names and

Level 1 and

2 headings.

List chapter headings flush

to the left margin.

Indent all subheadings.

viii

The Researcher...................................................................................................................49

Study Participants ....................................................................................................................50

Data Collection ........................................................................................................................51

Procedures Followed ................................................................................................................52

Data Analysis ...........................................................................................................................54

Open Coding ......................................................................................................................55

Selective Coding ................................................................................................................56

Theoretical Coding.............................................................................................................56

NVivo Use .........................................................................................................................57

Trustworthiness ........................................................................................................................57

Ethical Concerns ......................................................................................................................59

Summary ..................................................................................................................................60

CHAPTER IV: RESULTS .............................................................................................................62

Sample......................................................................................................................................62

Data Collection ........................................................................................................................63

Data and Analysis ....................................................................................................................64

Individual-Centric Codes ...................................................................................................66

Workplace-Centric Codes ..................................................................................................72

Individual and Workplace Dependent Codes ....................................................................76

NVivo Analysis Results ...........................................................................................................81

Theoretical Coding Summary of Results .................................................................................83

Interest in STEM is the Constant as Individual Needs and Priorities Change ...................84

Direct Manager Influence on Development is Critical ......................................................86

Tip: After you have completed all edits, be sure to verify

the page numbers in the Table of Contents are accurate.

ix

Performance-Based Workplace Policies and Culture are Continuously Sought ...............87

Moving Towards a No-Bias Workplace Remains Important ............................................89

The Career Growth Path at Life’s Crossroads Remains a Challenge ................................92

Additional Data Collected........................................................................................................93

Non-Linear Participants .....................................................................................................93

Similarities and Differences Across Demographics ..........................................................97

Support at Home ................................................................................................................99

Societal Factors ................................................................................................................100

Conclusions ............................................................................................................................101

CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................102

Interpretation of the Findings.................................................................................................104

Interest in STEM is the Constant as Individual Needs and Priorities Change .................104

Direct Manager Influence on Development is Critical ....................................................105

Performance-Based Workplace Policies and Culture are Continuously Sought .............107

Moving Towards a No-Bias Workplace Remains Important ..........................................108

The Career Growth Path at Life’s Crossroads Remains a Challenge ..............................110

Implications for Theory and Research ...................................................................................112

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory .............................................................................112

Herzberg’s Motivation Theory ........................................................................................113

Goal-Setting Theory.........................................................................................................114

Self-Efficacy Theory ........................................................................................................114

Equity Theory ..................................................................................................................114

Implications for Practice ........................................................................................................115

Double-space

your table of

contents.

x

The Role of Industry Helping Women Persist in STEM .......................................................117

Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research .............................................................118

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................119

References ....................................................................................................................................127

xi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: NVivo Word Query .........................................................................................................82

Table 2: Selective Coding Results .................................................................................................82

Table 3: Summary of Results on Experiencing a Hostile Environment ........................................98

The list of tables should begin on a new page.

xii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Data and Analysis Process .............................................................................................65

The list of figures should be on a new page.

xiii

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A: Email to Potential Participants ...............................................................................136

Appendix B: Demographic Questionnaire ...................................................................................137

Appendix C: Consent Form .........................................................................................................139

Appendix D: Interview Protocol ..................................................................................................140

Appendix E: Non-Disclosure Form .............................................................................................144

Appendix F: Participant Demographics .......................................................................................145

Appendix G: Open Coding Results .............................................................................................146

*This sample paper was adapted by the Writing Center from an original paper by a student. Used by permission.

Include your list of appendices on a new page.

Tip: If you do not have any tables, figures, and/or appendices,

do not include these pages.