North Carolina State University
2008 First-Year Student Survey:
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of
Goals for Undergraduate Education
This document reports gender and racial/ethnic differences in the respondents' mean rating of their current development of and importance given to general education, personal development, and world view goals. Frequency distributions of responses by gender and race/ethnicity are available in "2008 First Year Student Survey: Frequency Distributions of Survey Item #16 (Goals)." For information about the survey and analysis methods, see " 2008 First-Year Student Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile." Exact question wording is available on the web or by clicking on the "Q" next to the table heading.
| General Education Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Logical reasoning skills | 3.24 | 3.12 | 3.35 | 3.15 | 3.26 | 3.19 |
| Listening skills | 3.21 | 3.25 | 3.17 | 3.32 | 3.20 | 3.17 |
| Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 3.21 | 3.07 | 3.32 | 3.23 | 3.19 | 3.27 |
| Broad general education | 3.21 | 3.27 | 3.16 | 3.26 | 3.21 | 3.23 |
| Problem solving skills | 3.15 | 3.03 | 3.25 | 3.01 | 3.17 | 3.16 |
| Ability to plan and carry out projects independently | 3.12 | 3.24 | 3.02 | 3.16 | 3.13 | 3.04 |
| Comprehension skills | 3.11 | 3.06 | 3.15 | 3.03 | 3.12 | 3.08 |
| Math skills | 3.08 | 2.89 | 3.25 | 2.86 | 3.10 | 3.13 |
| Understanding influence of science/technology | 3.03 | 2.82 | 3.22 | 2.84 | 3.04 | 3.15 |
| Critical analysis of ideas | 3.01 | 2.91 | 3.10 | 2.98 | 3.01 | 3.01 |
| Computer skills | 2.99 | 2.93 | 3.05 | 3.13 | 2.97 | 3.05 |
| Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 2.98 | 3.16 | 2.82 | 3.33 | 2.88 | 3.37 |
| Using resources for research | 2.83 | 2.95 | 2.73 | 2.99 | 2.81 | 2.91 |
| Speaking skills | 2.80 | 2.80 | 2.81 | 2.91 | 2.81 | 2.68 |
| Writing skills | 2.78 | 2.85 | 2.71 | 2.74 | 2.79 | 2.70 |
| Apply scientific methods of inquiry | 2.67 | 2.48 | 2.83 | 2.53 | 2.67 | 2.79 |
| Personal Development Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Taking responsbility for my own behavior | 3.51 | 3.57 | 3.46 | 3.69 | 3.50 | 3.48 |
| Value lifelong learning | 3.42 | 3.51 | 3.34 | 3.58 | 3.39 | 3.45 |
| Ability to work in teams | 3.38 | 3.40 | 3.35 | 3.53 | 3.37 | 3.30 |
| Recognize and act on ethical principles | 3.34 | 3.43 | 3.27 | 3.45 | 3.33 | 3.38 |
| Understand my own abilities and interests | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.42 | 3.28 | 3.27 |
| Independence and self reliance | 3.25 | 3.29 | 3.22 | 3.37 | 3.25 | 3.17 |
| Sense of personal identity | 3.24 | 3.26 | 3.23 | 3.41 | 3.23 | 3.21 |
| Realizing my potential for success | 3.15 | 3.12 | 3.17 | 3.37 | 3.13 | 3.13 |
| Ability to organize successful group project | 3.15 | 3.25 | 3.06 | 3.26 | 3.14 | 3.08 |
| Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.14 | 3.09 | 3.18 | 3.11 | 3.16 | 3.00 |
| Taking initiative to improve work | 3.13 | 3.20 | 3.07 | 3.24 | 3.13 | 3.09 |
| Self discipline | 3.11 | 3.11 | 3.10 | 3.28 | 3.10 | 3.03 |
| Ability to lead others | 3.05 | 3.09 | 3.02 | 3.18 | 3.05 | 2.93 |
| Exercising public responsiblity and community | 3.02 | 3.12 | 2.94 | 3.09 | 3.01 | 3.03 |
| Self-confidence | 3.02 | 2.95 | 3.09 | 3.27 | 3.01 | 2.94 |
| Coping with change | 2.98 | 2.91 | 3.04 | 3.10 | 2.95 | 3.05 |
| Ability to handle stress | 2.89 | 2.70 | 3.06 | 2.95 | 2.88 | 2.90 |
| Time management | 2.64 | 2.69 | 2.59 | 2.63 | 2.66 | 2.51 |
| World View Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Appreciating gender equity | 3.59 | 3.71 | 3.48 | 3.71 | 3.56 | 3.66 |
| Appreciating racial equity | 3.57 | 3.68 | 3.47 | 3.78 | 3.53 | 3.71 |
| Ability to work with diverse people | 3.34 | 3.44 | 3.25 | 3.62 | 3.27 | 3.57 |
| Tolerance for divergent views | 3.15 | 3.25 | 3.06 | 3.37 | 3.10 | 3.32 |
| Appreciation for the arts, music, and literature | 3.11 | 3.29 | 2.95 | 3.24 | 3.08 | 3.22 |
| Understanding world issues | 2.85 | 2.76 | 2.93 | 2.97 | 2.82 | 2.95 |
| Understanding the present as it relates to history | 2.77 | 2.64 | 2.88 | 2.88 | 2.76 | 2.78 |
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Q Goal Importance
| General Education Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Comprehension skills | 3.64 | 3.70 | 3.59 | 3.80 | 3.62 | 3.70 |
| Logical reasoning skills | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.68 | 3.63 | 3.69 |
| Problem solving skills | 3.64 | 3.65 | 3.64 | 3.72 | 3.63 | 3.68 |
| Listening skills | 3.61 | 3.71 | 3.53 | 3.80 | 3.59 | 3.65 |
| Ability to plan and carry out projects independently | 3.60 | 3.69 | 3.51 | 3.73 | 3.57 | 3.64 |
| Broad general education | 3.59 | 3.69 | 3.51 | 3.71 | 3.58 | 3.63 |
| Critical analysis of ideas | 3.54 | 3.57 | 3.52 | 3.69 | 3.51 | 3.62 |
| Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 3.53 | 3.52 | 3.54 | 3.60 | 3.52 | 3.57 |
| Computer skills | 3.51 | 3.49 | 3.53 | 3.64 | 3.50 | 3.53 |
| Speaking skills | 3.50 | 3.63 | 3.39 | 3.77 | 3.46 | 3.59 |
| Math skills | 3.48 | 3.41 | 3.55 | 3.57 | 3.47 | 3.54 |
| Understanding influence of science/technology | 3.34 | 3.27 | 3.40 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.40 |
| Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 3.34 | 3.55 | 3.16 | 3.71 | 3.27 | 3.57 |
| Using resources for research | 3.32 | 3.45 | 3.21 | 3.55 | 3.28 | 3.42 |
| Writing skills | 3.29 | 3.49 | 3.11 | 3.69 | 3.23 | 3.41 |
| Apply scientific methods of inquiry | 3.14 | 3.06 | 3.20 | 3.20 | 3.12 | 3.18 |
| Personal Development Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Taking responsbility for my own behavior | 3.80 | 3.86 | 3.74 | 3.88 | 3.78 | 3.84 |
| Self discipline | 3.77 | 3.84 | 3.71 | 3.87 | 3.75 | 3.82 |
| Time management | 3.77 | 3.86 | 3.70 | 3.87 | 3.76 | 3.83 |
| Independence and self reliance | 3.74 | 3.83 | 3.67 | 3.83 | 3.73 | 3.76 |
| Ability to handle stress | 3.73 | 3.81 | 3.66 | 3.83 | 3.71 | 3.77 |
| Self-confidence | 3.73 | 3.79 | 3.67 | 3.84 | 3.72 | 3.73 |
| Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.72 | 3.80 | 3.65 | 3.76 | 3.71 | 3.70 |
| Understand my own abilities and interests | 3.69 | 3.77 | 3.61 | 3.81 | 3.67 | 3.71 |
| Realizing my potential for success | 3.68 | 3.76 | 3.61 | 3.84 | 3.66 | 3.68 |
| Ability to work in teams | 3.67 | 3.71 | 3.64 | 3.76 | 3.66 | 3.70 |
| Taking initiative to improve work | 3.67 | 3.74 | 3.61 | 3.74 | 3.66 | 3.71 |
| Sense of personal identity | 3.66 | 3.77 | 3.57 | 3.80 | 3.65 | 3.66 |
| Recognize and act on ethical principles | 3.64 | 3.76 | 3.54 | 3.74 | 3.62 | 3.70 |
| Value lifelong learning | 3.64 | 3.73 | 3.56 | 3.80 | 3.61 | 3.71 |
| Coping with change | 3.58 | 3.69 | 3.49 | 3.71 | 3.57 | 3.59 |
| Ability to lead others | 3.54 | 3.58 | 3.50 | 3.67 | 3.52 | 3.57 |
| Ability to organize successful group project | 3.52 | 3.57 | 3.47 | 3.64 | 3.50 | 3.55 |
| Exercising public responsiblity and community | 3.46 | 3.57 | 3.36 | 3.62 | 3.43 | 3.52 |
| World View Goals | Mean rating Scale: 4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
| Appreciating racial equity | 3.67 | 3.79 | 3.56 | 3.89 | 3.64 | 3.70 |
| Appreciating gender equity | 3.66 | 3.79 | 3.54 | 3.82 | 3.64 | 3.67 |
| Ability to work with diverse people | 3.60 | 3.74 | 3.49 | 3.82 | 3.57 | 3.69 |
| Understanding world issues | 3.55 | 3.64 | 3.47 | 3.63 | 3.54 | 3.57 |
| Tolerance for divergent views | 3.50 | 3.64 | 3.37 | 3.67 | 3.47 | 3.56 |
| Understanding the present as it relates to history | 3.31 | 3.38 | 3.25 | 3.44 | 3.30 | 3.33 |
| Appreciation for the arts, music, and literature | 3.26 | 3.44 | 3.10 | 3.41 | 3.23 | 3.32 |
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Scatterplots: Comparisons of Goal Ratings
Scatterplot Comparing Goal Development and Goal Importance Ratings (All Respondents)
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 22 Appreciation for the arts, music, and literature | 2 Appreciating racial equity | 23 Self discipline | 3 Taking responsbility for my own behavior | 24 Comprehension skills | 4 Value lifelong learning | 25 Math skills | 5 Ability to work in teams | 26 Ability to lead others | 6 Recognize and act on ethical principles | 27 Understanding influence of science/technology | 7 Ability to work with diverse people | 28 Self-confidence | 8 Understand my own abilities and interests | 29 Exercising public responsiblity and community | 9 Independence and self reliance | 30 Critical analysis of ideas | 10 Sense of personal identity | 31 Computer skills | 11 Logical reasoning skills | 32 Coping with change | 12 Broad general education | 33 Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 13 Listening skills | 34 Ability to handle stress | 14 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 35 Understanding world issues | 15 Problem solving skills | 36 Using resources for research | 16 Tolerance for divergent views | 37 Speaking skills | 17 Realizing my potential for success | 38 Writing skills | 18 Ability to organize successful group project | 39 Understanding the present as it relates to history | 19 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 40 Apply scientific methods of inquiry | 20 Taking initiative to improve work | 41 Time management | 21 Ability to plan and carry out projects independently |
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Scatterplot Comparing Goal Development and Goal Importance Ratings (By Race)
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 22 Appreciation for the arts, music, and literature | 2 Appreciating racial equity | 23 Self discipline | 3 Taking responsbility for my own behavior | 24 Comprehension skills | 4 Value lifelong learning | 25 Math skills | 5 Ability to work in teams | 26 Ability to lead others | 6 Recognize and act on ethical principles | 27 Understanding influence of science/technology | 7 Ability to work with diverse people | 28 Self-confidence | 8 Understand my own abilities and interests | 29 Exercising public responsiblity and community | 9 Independence and self reliance | 30 Critical analysis of ideas | 10 Sense of personal identity | 31 Computer skills | 11 Logical reasoning skills | 32 Coping with change | 12 Broad general education | 33 Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 13 Listening skills | 34 Ability to handle stress | 14 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 35 Understanding world issues | 15 Problem solving skills | 36 Using resources for research | 16 Tolerance for divergent views | 37 Speaking skills | 17 Realizing my potential for success | 38 Writing skills | 18 Ability to organize successful group project | 39 Understanding the present as it relates to history | 19 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 40 Apply scientific methods of inquiry | 20 Taking initiative to improve work | 41 Time management | 21 Ability to plan and carry out projects independently |
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Scatterplot Comparing Goal Development and Goal Importance Ratings (By Gender)
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 22 Appreciation for the arts, music, and literature | 2 Appreciating racial equity | 23 Self discipline | 3 Taking responsbility for my own behavior | 24 Comprehension skills | 4 Value lifelong learning | 25 Math skills | 5 Ability to work in teams | 26 Ability to lead others | 6 Recognize and act on ethical principles | 27 Understanding influence of science/technology | 7 Ability to work with diverse people | 28 Self-confidence | 8 Understand my own abilities and interests | 29 Exercising public responsiblity and community | 9 Independence and self reliance | 30 Critical analysis of ideas | 10 Sense of personal identity | 31 Computer skills | 11 Logical reasoning skills | 32 Coping with change | 12 Broad general education | 33 Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 13 Listening skills | 34 Ability to handle stress | 14 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 35 Understanding world issues | 15 Problem solving skills | 36 Using resources for research | 16 Tolerance for divergent views | 37 Speaking skills | 17 Realizing my potential for success | 38 Writing skills | 18 Ability to organize successful group project | 39 Understanding the present as it relates to history | 19 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 40 Apply scientific methods of inquiry | 20 Taking initiative to improve work | 41 Time management | 21 Ability to plan and carry out projects independently |
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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: March, 2009
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