Tag Archive: Data Buddies Project
CERP analyzed the results of the 2018 Data Buddies Survey and discovered areas where undergraduates indicate their confidence in computing abilities. Additionally, CERP uncovered some significant differences in confidence levels between students who are underrepresented and non-underrepresented.
Data Buddies 2019 came to a close at the beginning of February 2020, concluding the seventh year of data collection. Since its launch in 2013, the survey collected approximately 75,000 total responses, and 32,000 of these respondents are part of CERP’s longitudinal cohorts.
We analyzed students’ post bachelor’s degree plans and their intentions for the highest degree they plan to pursue. Our analysis found that not only are the pathways students expect to take not direct but also the shape of these pathways potentially differs for students of different racial/ethnic and gender identities.
Where do graduate students find mentors? CERP analyzed results of the 2018 Data Buddies Survey and discovered the most common sources for mentors. Additionally, CERP uncovered some significant differences between where men and women graduate students find mentors.
The annual Data Buddies Survey came to a close in February of 2020. CERP wishes to thank the 134 institutions and departments that made data collection possible, with special appreciation extended to Elite Data Buddies who received at least a 20% response rate from survey respondents.
Analyzing data collected graduating computing students during the spring of 2018, CERP replicated findings indicating that students with formal research experience are more likely to apply to graduate school and enroll in doctoral programs compared to students without any formal research experiences during their undergraduate program.
According to the Data Buddies Survey (2018), undergraduate students with pre-college coding experience tend to have higher sense of belonging in computing. Given the importance of sense of belonging for retaining students in the field of computing, this finding highlights the potential long-term benefits of engaging students in coding early-on.
During a student’s time in a computing degree program, numerous hardships may cause them to seriously consider leaving the program prior to completion. This infographic presents reasons undergraduate and graduate students selected for deciding to remain in their computing degree program.
Data Buddies data show that access to academic resources, quality of the technical content of courses, and availability of professors outside of class are the top three characteristics of a program that are most strongly associated with students’ overall satisfaction with computing degree programs.
Interest in the field, job prospects, and a desire to make an impact on the society are the most common reasons for why students choose to enroll in a computing degree program at both undergraduate and graduate level. An understanding of these factors can not only help departments’ recruitment efforts but also guide strategies for student retention.
The annual CRA Data Buddies Survey will open October 2019. If your department is not yet a member, sign up here to learn more about your students and how your department compares to other similar departments.
