2012 Alumni Survey
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of Undergraduate Educational Goals
This document reports survey data
on gender and racial/ethnic differences in respondents' assessment of educational goals held by NC State. Survey results for all respondents are provided in
2012 Alumni Survey: All Respondents. For information about the survey
and analysis methods, see 2012 Alumni Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile.
Communication Skills | Critical and Creative Thinking | Professionalism |
General Education | Diversity and Global Awareness
Communication Skills: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Importance: Communication skills overall | 3.91 | 3.94 | 3.88 | 3.89 | 3.98 | 3.90 | 3.92 | |||
| Importance: Writing effectively | 3.62 | 3.68 | 3.57 | 3.56 | 3.80 | 3.61 | 3.69 | |||
| Importance: Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 3.49 | 3.52 | 3.47 | 3.54 | 3.71 | 3.47 | 3.58 | |||
| Importance: Understanding written and oral information | 3.90 | 3.89 | 3.91 | 3.89 | 3.96 | 3.90 | 3.92 | |||
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Communication Skills: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Preparation: Communication skills overall | 3.27 | 3.35 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 3.37 | 3.28 | 3.22 | |||
| Preparation: Writing effectively | 3.22 | 3.29 | 3.16 | 2.92 | 3.43 | 3.22 | 3.24 | |||
| Preparation: Speaking to small and large groups and making presentations | 3.21 | 3.26 | 3.16 | 3.21 | 3.34 | 3.20 | 3.18 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding written and oral information | 3.45 | 3.50 | 3.40 | 3.33 | 3.61 | 3.45 | 3.38 | |||
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Critical and Creative Thinking: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Importance: Problem solving skills overall | 3.87 | 3.85 | 3.89 | 3.90 | 3.91 | 3.87 | 3.92 | |||
| Importance: Defining problems | 3.76 | 3.72 | 3.80 | 3.76 | 3.82 | 3.76 | 3.77 | |||
| Importance: Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 3.72 | 3.70 | 3.73 | 3.79 | 3.84 | 3.71 | 3.79 | |||
| Importance: Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 3.62 | 3.59 | 3.64 | 3.70 | 3.77 | 3.60 | 3.67 | |||
| Importance: Identifying relevant ideas/information | 3.69 | 3.70 | 3.69 | 3.81 | 3.78 | 3.68 | 3.69 | |||
| Importance: Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 3.56 | 3.57 | 3.55 | 3.67 | 3.68 | 3.55 | 3.56 | |||
| Importance: Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 3.72 | 3.68 | 3.76 | 3.84 | 3.72 | 3.71 | 3.78 | |||
| Importance: Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 3.60 | 3.58 | 3.62 | 3.70 | 3.66 | 3.59 | 3.65 | |||
| Importance: Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 3.52 | 3.46 | 3.56 | 3.57 | 3.61 | 3.51 | 3.49 | |||
| Importance: Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 3.37 | 3.37 | 3.38 | 3.60 | 3.56 | 3.35 | 3.43 | |||
| Importance: Generating innovative solutions | 3.50 | 3.44 | 3.55 | 3.55 | 3.60 | 3.49 | 3.52 | |||
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Critical and Creative Thinking: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Preparation: Problem solving skills overall | 3.46 | 3.42 | 3.50 | 3.49 | 3.51 | 3.46 | 3.42 | |||
| Preparation: Defining problems | 3.34 | 3.32 | 3.36 | 3.32 | 3.46 | 3.34 | 3.24 | |||
| Preparation: Examining problems from multiple perspectives | 3.30 | 3.30 | 3.30 | 3.23 | 3.41 | 3.30 | 3.22 | |||
| Preparation: Breaking down complex topics to enhance understanding | 3.31 | 3.32 | 3.31 | 3.32 | 3.51 | 3.31 | 3.17 | |||
| Preparation: Identifying relevant ideas/information | 3.33 | 3.36 | 3.31 | 3.23 | 3.44 | 3.33 | 3.30 | |||
| Preparation: Using information technologies and search strategies to access information | 3.30 | 3.34 | 3.27 | 3.20 | 3.45 | 3.30 | 3.24 | |||
| Preparation: Critically analyzing and evaluating ideas/information | 3.43 | 3.42 | 3.43 | 3.32 | 3.50 | 3.43 | 3.35 | |||
| Preparation: Integrating ideas/information from multiple sources | 3.34 | 3.39 | 3.30 | 3.17 | 3.50 | 3.34 | 3.29 | |||
| Preparation: Constructing clear, precise, and accurate arguments | 3.20 | 3.23 | 3.18 | 3.08 | 3.32 | 3.20 | 3.13 | |||
| Preparation: Combining/synthesizing existing ideas/information in original ways | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.11 | 3.02 | 3.26 | 3.13 | 3.07 | |||
| Preparation: Generating innovative solutions | 3.11 | 3.10 | 3.12 | 3.00 | 3.12 | 3.13 | 2.91 | |||
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Professionalism: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Importance: Professional skills overall | 3.82 | 3.87 | 3.78 | 3.76 | 3.98 | 3.82 | 3.81 | |||
| Importance: Working independently | 3.69 | 3.72 | 3.65 | 3.72 | 3.86 | 3.67 | 3.72 | |||
| Importance: Working in teams | 3.64 | 3.67 | 3.61 | 3.73 | 3.72 | 3.63 | 3.65 | |||
| Importance: Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 3.36 | 3.48 | 3.25 | 3.56 | 3.76 | 3.32 | 3.52 | |||
| Importance: Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 3.86 | 3.89 | 3.83 | 3.83 | 3.92 | 3.85 | 3.90 | |||
| Importance: Adapting to changing circumstances | 3.78 | 3.81 | 3.76 | 3.83 | 3.86 | 3.78 | 3.80 | |||
| Importance: Effectively leading/guiding others | 3.56 | 3.62 | 3.51 | 3.58 | 3.71 | 3.55 | 3.58 | |||
| Importance: Preparing for a career | 3.54 | 3.59 | 3.49 | 3.70 | 3.78 | 3.53 | 3.45 | |||
| Importance: Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 3.73 | 3.73 | 3.72 | 3.73 | 3.86 | 3.72 | 3.71 | |||
| Importance: Working under pressure | 3.79 | 3.80 | 3.77 | 3.82 | 3.82 | 3.78 | 3.82 | |||
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Professionalism: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Preparation: Professional skills overall | 3.31 | 3.34 | 3.28 | 3.22 | 3.39 | 3.32 | 3.20 | |||
| Preparation: Working independently | 3.45 | 3.49 | 3.40 | 3.37 | 3.60 | 3.45 | 3.30 | |||
| Preparation: Working in teams | 3.45 | 3.48 | 3.42 | 3.46 | 3.46 | 3.45 | 3.38 | |||
| Preparation: Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds | 3.20 | 3.28 | 3.13 | 3.13 | 3.33 | 3.20 | 3.07 | |||
| Preparation: Conducting work activities in an ethical manner | 3.31 | 3.39 | 3.25 | 3.30 | 3.33 | 3.32 | 3.27 | |||
| Preparation: Adapting to changing circumstances | 3.15 | 3.20 | 3.11 | 3.04 | 3.13 | 3.17 | 2.99 | |||
| Preparation: Effectively leading/guiding others | 3.06 | 3.14 | 2.99 | 3.03 | 3.08 | 3.07 | 2.96 | |||
| Preparation: Preparing for a career | 3.17 | 3.18 | 3.17 | 3.12 | 3.10 | 3.20 | 2.93 | |||
| Preparation: Keeping current with skills/knowledge in my field | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.11 | 3.01 | 3.13 | 3.15 | 2.97 | |||
| Preparation: Working under pressure | 3.43 | 3.44 | 3.42 | 3.33 | 3.42 | 3.45 | 3.26 | |||
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General Education: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Importance: An overall general education | 3.69 | 3.77 | 3.62 | 3.66 | 3.84 | 3.68 | 3.61 | |||
| Importance: Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 3.47 | 3.47 | 3.47 | 3.51 | 3.67 | 3.45 | 3.45 | |||
| Importance: Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 3.34 | 3.33 | 3.36 | 3.44 | 3.57 | 3.33 | 3.35 | |||
| Importance: Formulating and testing hypotheses | 3.03 | 2.92 | 3.13 | 3.18 | 3.15 | 3.02 | 3.01 | |||
| Importance: Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 2.94 | 2.88 | 3.00 | 2.94 | 2.99 | 2.94 | 2.94 | |||
| Importance: Appreciating the arts | 2.67 | 2.92 | 2.45 | 2.75 | 3.02 | 2.65 | 2.71 | |||
| Importance: Appreciating the humanities | 2.76 | 2.93 | 2.61 | 2.72 | 3.16 | 2.74 | 2.74 | |||
| Importance: Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 2.81 | 3.00 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 3.25 | 2.79 | 2.75 | |||
| Importance: Applying mathematics skills | 3.26 | 3.09 | 3.40 | 3.25 | 3.20 | 3.27 | 3.20 | |||
| Importance: Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 3.18 | 3.15 | 3.20 | 3.26 | 3.23 | 3.17 | 3.20 | |||
| Importance: Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 3.73 | 3.77 | 3.69 | 3.56 | 3.82 | 3.73 | 3.71 | |||
| Importance: Being involved in public and community affairs | 3.11 | 3.27 | 2.98 | 3.18 | 3.43 | 3.10 | 3.03 | |||
| Importance: Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.55 | 3.64 | 3.47 | 3.53 | 3.65 | 3.54 | 3.58 | |||
| Importance: Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 3.75 | 3.80 | 3.71 | 3.70 | 3.87 | 3.75 | 3.76 | |||
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General Education: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Preparation: An overall general education | 3.68 | 3.74 | 3.63 | 3.43 | 3.73 | 3.69 | 3.62 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines | 3.44 | 3.45 | 3.44 | 3.33 | 3.42 | 3.45 | 3.34 | |||
| Preparation: Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline | 3.24 | 3.27 | 3.22 | 3.13 | 3.27 | 3.25 | 3.18 | |||
| Preparation: Formulating and testing hypotheses | 3.21 | 3.18 | 3.24 | 3.16 | 3.23 | 3.21 | 3.17 | |||
| Preparation: Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries | 3.04 | 3.03 | 3.06 | 2.93 | 3.05 | 3.05 | 2.99 | |||
| Preparation: Appreciating the arts | 2.73 | 2.88 | 2.60 | 2.74 | 2.88 | 2.72 | 2.70 | |||
| Preparation: Appreciating the humanities | 2.97 | 3.11 | 2.86 | 2.78 | 3.15 | 2.98 | 2.88 | |||
| Preparation: Applying social science methods to understand human behavior | 2.87 | 3.03 | 2.73 | 2.67 | 3.18 | 2.87 | 2.75 | |||
| Preparation: Applying mathematics skills | 3.35 | 3.22 | 3.47 | 3.40 | 3.32 | 3.36 | 3.27 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life | 3.21 | 3.19 | 3.23 | 3.11 | 3.28 | 3.22 | 3.17 | |||
| Preparation: Recognizing and acting on ethical principles | 3.23 | 3.28 | 3.18 | 3.11 | 3.31 | 3.23 | 3.14 | |||
| Preparation: Being involved in public and community affairs | 2.89 | 3.02 | 2.78 | 2.87 | 3.01 | 2.89 | 2.77 | |||
| Preparation: Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 2.92 | 2.93 | 2.90 | 2.85 | 3.01 | 2.92 | 2.79 | |||
| Preparation: Valuing learning as a lifelong process | 3.41 | 3.46 | 3.37 | 3.23 | 3.33 | 3.43 | 3.22 | |||
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Diversity and Global Awareness: Importance
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very important," 3="Somewhat important," 2="Not very important," 1="Not at all important") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Importance: Diversity/global awareness overall | 3.30 | 3.44 | 3.18 | 3.34 | 3.70 | 3.26 | 3.50 | |||
| Importance: Having a tolerance for different points of views | 3.65 | 3.74 | 3.57 | 3.56 | 3.84 | 3.64 | 3.74 | |||
| Importance: Understanding diverse cultures and values | 3.40 | 3.55 | 3.28 | 3.54 | 3.79 | 3.37 | 3.52 | |||
| Importance: Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 3.22 | 3.35 | 3.10 | 3.28 | 3.55 | 3.19 | 3.29 | |||
| Importance: Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 3.41 | 3.49 | 3.34 | 3.39 | 3.59 | 3.39 | 3.45 | |||
| Importance: Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 3.23 | 3.24 | 3.23 | 3.09 | 3.41 | 3.23 | 3.23 | |||
| Importance: Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 3.12 | 3.30 | 2.95 | 3.17 | 3.72 | 3.07 | 3.21 | |||
| Importance: Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 3.10 | 3.30 | 2.91 | 3.11 | 3.55 | 3.06 | 3.22 | |||
| Importance: Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 2.89 | 3.12 | 2.69 | 3.07 | 3.21 | 2.85 | 3.01 | |||
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Diversity and Global Awareness: Preparation
| Mean Rating (based on a scale of 4="Very much," 3="Somewhat," 2="Very little," 1="Not at all") |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCSU | Women | Men | Asian | AfAm | White | Other | ||||
| Preparation: Diversity/global awareness overall | 3.07 | 3.16 | 2.99 | 3.10 | 3.20 | 3.06 | 3.02 | |||
| Preparation: Having a tolerance for different points of views | 3.24 | 3.32 | 3.17 | 3.08 | 3.33 | 3.25 | 3.14 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding diverse cultures and values | 3.11 | 3.20 | 3.02 | 3.13 | 3.28 | 3.10 | 3.03 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding the commonality of human problems through a global perspective | 2.95 | 3.04 | 2.87 | 2.83 | 3.11 | 2.95 | 2.86 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding issues and problems facing the world | 3.01 | 3.06 | 2.96 | 2.80 | 3.14 | 3.02 | 2.84 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes | 2.95 | 2.98 | 2.91 | 2.78 | 3.15 | 2.95 | 2.76 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding issues associated with racial equity | 2.81 | 2.90 | 2.74 | 2.74 | 3.00 | 2.81 | 2.68 | |||
| Preparation: Understanding issues associated with gender equity | 2.79 | 2.89 | 2.70 | 2.76 | 3.01 | 2.79 | 2.61 | |||
| Preparation: Appreciating differences in sexual orientation | 2.61 | 2.71 | 2.53 | 2.58 | 2.84 | 2.61 | 2.44 | |||
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Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu
Posted: July, 2012