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North Carolina State University
2005-2006 Graduating Senior Survey:
Frequency Distributions for Survey Item #20
(Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development)

This document reports frequency distributions by gender and race/ethnicity of survey item #20 of the "2005-2006 Graduating Senior Survey." A table comparing mean ratings is available in "2005-2006 Graduating Senior Survey: Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development."

Exact wording of question: To what extent do you think your college education contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in each of the following areas?

Respondents selecting "don't know/did not use" have been excluded from the figures reported in this document.

General Education Goals | Personal Development Goals | World View Goals

Q General Education Goals

Writing skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 46.6 44.8 48.4 59.0 44.9 52.2
3: Somewhat % 44.6 45.6 43.6 34.8 46.1 38.4
2: Very little % 7.7 8.5 6.9 4.5 7.9 9.4
1: Not at all % 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.7 1.2 0.0
Total N 2,133 1,052 1,081 178 1,796 159

Speaking skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 47.3 44.8 49.7 57.0 46.5 44.9
3: Somewhat % 42.2 43.7 40.6 36.3 42.7 43.0
2: Very little % 9.4 10.3 8.6 6.1 9.6 12.0
1: Not at all % 1.1 1.1 1.0 0.6 1.2 0.0
Total N 2,127 1,047 1,080 179 1,790 158

Listening skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 47.2 42.8 51.5 49.7 46.8 49.0
3: Somewhat % 43.5 46.5 40.6 41.8 43.8 42.0
2: Very little % 8.2 9.4 7.1 7.3 8.3 7.6
1: Not at all % 1.1 1.3 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.3
Total N 2,121 1,044 1,077 177 1,787 157

Comprehension skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 54.7 53.0 56.4 57.5 54.2 56.6
3: Somewhat % 38.2 38.8 37.7 34.6 38.4 40.3
2: Very little % 6.1 7.0 5.3 7.8 6.3 2.5
1: Not at all % 1.0 1.3 0.6 0.0 1.1 0.6
Total N 2,130 1,050 1,080 179 1,792 159

Using math skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 40.7 47.7 33.8 41.5 40.3 44.6
3: Somewhat % 39.6 34.9 44.3 41.5 39.5 38.9
2: Very little % 15.7 13.6 17.7 14.2 16.0 14.0
1: Not at all % 4.0 3.7 4.2 2.8 4.2 2.5
Total N 2,111 1,048 1,063 176 1,778 157

Applying scientific methods NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 48.6 53.4 43.9 49.7 48.1 53.5
3: Somewhat % 38.3 35.5 41.1 36.0 38.6 36.8
2: Very little % 11.1 9.2 12.9 12.0 11.4 7.1
1: Not at all % 2.0 1.9 2.1 2.3 1.9 2.6
Total N 2,090 1,038 1,052 175 1,760 155

Enhancing analytic skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 57.9 58.1 57.7 59.6 57.4 61.4
3: Somewhat % 38.2 37.6 38.9 36.5 38.5 37.3
2: Very little % 3.4 3.5 3.2 3.4 3.5 1.3
1: Not at all % 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.0
Total N 2,118 1,048 1,070 178 1,782 158

Developing computer skills NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 45.1 45.7 44.6 58.4 44.1 40.9
3: Somewhat % 40.6 40.1 41.0 30.9 40.8 48.4
2: Very little % 12.0 10.9 13.0 8.4 12.5 9.4
1: Not at all % 2.4 3.3 1.4 2.2 2.5 1.3
Total N 2,122 1,047 1,075 178 1,785 159

Science/tech influence on everyday life NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 48.8 50.0 47.7 49.2 48.6 50.9
3: Somewhat % 40.6 39.9 41.2 42.4 40.3 41.5
2: Very little % 9.1 8.5 9.7 7.3 9.6 5.7
1: Not at all % 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.5 1.9
Total N 2,107 1,042 1,065 177 1,771 159

Using library/internet resources for research NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 58.8 53.0 64.4 65.4 57.9 62.0
3: Somewhat % 33.0 35.7 30.4 28.5 33.4 34.2
2: Very little % 7.2 9.7 4.8 5.6 7.7 3.8
1: Not at all % 0.9 1.5 0.4 0.6 1.1 0.0
Total N 2,127 1,047 1,080 179 1,790 158

Adapt to changing technologies NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 49.1 47.8 50.2 58.2 47.8 53.2
3: Somewhat % 42.1 42.2 42.0 32.2 43.4 38.6
2: Very little % 7.1 7.9 6.4 9.0 7.0 6.3
1: Not at all % 1.8 2.1 1.4 0.6 1.9 1.9
Total N 2,106 1,039 1,067 177 1,771 158

Critical analysis of ideas/info NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 59.1 56.8 61.3 63.6 58.5 60.3
3: Somewhat % 37.2 38.7 35.8 31.3 37.8 37.2
2: Very little % 2.9 3.5 2.3 5.1 2.8 1.9
1: Not at all % 0.8 1.0 0.6 0.0 0.8 0.6
Total N 2,113 1,044 1,069 176 1,781 156

Ability to plan/carry out projects indep NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 60.8 57.2 64.2 62.7 60.4 63.1
3: Somewhat % 34.1 36.9 31.4 33.9 34.3 31.8
2: Very little % 4.2 4.8 3.7 3.4 4.3 4.5
1: Not at all % 0.8 1.1 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.6
Total N 2,119 1,045 1,074 177 1,785 157

Understand diverse cultures/values NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 49.0 41.3 56.4 55.9 47.9 53.5
3: Somewhat % 38.4 42.4 34.6 28.2 39.9 33.1
2: Very little % 9.8 12.1 7.6 13.6 9.5 8.9
1: Not at all % 2.8 4.3 1.4 2.3 2.7 4.5
Total N 2,105 1,035 1,070 177 1,771 157
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Q Personal Development Goals

Ability to lead or guide others NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 51.9 48.6 55.1 54.0 51.8 51.3
3: Somewhat % 38.1 39.3 37.0 34.7 38.6 36.7
2: Very little % 8.3 10.1 6.5 9.1 8.1 9.5
1: Not at all % 1.7 2.0 1.4 2.3 1.6 2.5
Total N 2,105 1,034 1,071 176 1,771 158

Ability to function as part of a team NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 60.2 56.6 63.7 58.4 60.2 62.3
3: Somewhat % 33.1 35.8 30.5 33.1 33.2 32.1
2: Very little % 5.3 5.9 4.8 6.7 5.3 3.8
1: Not at all % 1.4 1.7 1.0 1.7 1.3 1.9
Total N 2,113 1,036 1,077 178 1,776 159

Recognize/act upon ethical principles NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 48.0 42.8 53.2 49.1 47.1 57.6
3: Somewhat % 40.4 43.3 37.6 38.3 41.4 32.3
2: Very little % 8.9 10.6 7.3 10.3 8.9 7.6
1: Not at all % 2.6 3.3 2.0 2.3 2.7 2.5
Total N 2,090 1,029 1,061 175 1,757 158

Public responsibility/community svc NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 32.3 28.7 35.8 41.3 30.9 38.2
3: Somewhat % 45.8 46.0 45.7 41.3 46.3 45.4
2: Very little % 17.6 19.9 15.4 13.4 18.5 11.8
1: Not at all % 4.2 5.4 3.1 4.1 4.2 4.6
Total N 2,055 1,017 1,038 172 1,731 152

Value learning as a life-long process NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 55.4 50.7 59.9 57.1 54.8 60.1
3: Somewhat % 34.8 37.3 32.3 28.6 35.7 31.0
2: Very little % 7.8 9.5 6.2 10.9 7.6 7.0
1: Not at all % 2.0 2.5 1.6 3.4 1.9 1.9
Total N 2,109 1,035 1,074 175 1,776 158

Commitment to personal health/fitness NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 35.2 33.8 36.7 38.9 34.5 39.2
3: Somewhat % 43.7 43.2 44.2 41.1 43.5 48.1
2: Very little % 16.2 18.1 14.3 14.3 17.0 8.9
1: Not at all % 4.9 5.0 4.8 5.7 4.9 3.8
Total N 2,108 1,040 1,068 175 1,775 158

Taking responsibility for own behavior NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 53.8 49.5 57.9 57.0 53.0 58.6
3: Somewhat % 35.0 37.5 32.5 28.5 35.8 33.1
2: Very little % 7.7 8.9 6.6 9.9 7.7 5.1
1: Not at all % 3.5 4.1 3.0 4.7 3.4 3.2
Total N 2,100 1,036 1,064 172 1,771 157

Self-confidence NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 48.4 44.0 52.6 50.3 48.0 50.9
3: Somewhat % 39.5 41.2 37.8 34.7 40.0 38.4
2: Very little % 8.5 10.5 6.6 11.0 8.3 8.2
1: Not at all % 3.6 4.3 3.0 4.0 3.7 2.5
Total N 2,103 1,033 1,070 173 1,771 159

Sense of personal identity NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 50.7 45.6 55.7 53.5 50.2 53.8
3: Somewhat % 37.1 39.8 34.6 33.1 37.6 36.1
2: Very little % 8.9 10.6 7.2 9.9 8.9 7.6
1: Not at all % 3.2 4.0 2.5 3.5 3.3 2.5
Total N 2,097 1,029 1,068 172 1,767 158

Independence and self-reliance NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 64.9 59.7 69.8 65.5 65.2 59.7
3: Somewhat % 28.8 32.5 25.1 28.8 28.2 34.6
2: Very little % 4.7 6.3 3.3 4.5 4.7 5.7
1: Not at all % 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.1 1.9 0.0
Total N 2,114 1,040 1,074 177 1,778 159

Potential for success NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 64.7 60.8 68.5 69.3 64.5 62.3
3: Somewhat % 28.7 31.2 26.3 25.6 29.1 27.7
2: Very little % 5.0 6.4 3.6 4.0 4.7 9.4
1: Not at all % 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.1 1.7 0.6
Total N 2,109 1,037 1,072 176 1,774 159

Coping with change NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 57.2 53.1 61.2 60.8 56.6 60.3
3: Somewhat % 34.0 36.0 32.0 29.5 34.8 29.5
2: Very little % 7.0 8.9 5.1 7.4 6.8 9.0
1: Not at all % 1.8 2.0 1.6 2.3 1.8 1.3
Total N 2,104 1,036 1,068 176 1,772 156

Ability to handle stress NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 55.6 53.0 58.2 56.0 55.5 57.2
3: Somewhat % 32.8 35.1 30.6 30.3 33.1 32.1
2: Very little % 8.8 9.0 8.5 9.7 8.6 9.4
1: Not at all % 2.8 2.9 2.7 4.0 2.8 1.3
Total N 2,112 1,041 1,071 175 1,778 159

Personal growth NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 63.4 57.8 68.8 67.6 62.8 64.6
3: Somewhat % 30.0 33.8 26.3 26.1 30.4 30.4
2: Very little % 5.0 6.4 3.6 3.4 5.2 4.4
1: Not at all % 1.6 1.9 1.3 2.8 1.6 0.6
Total N 2,113 1,041 1,072 176 1,779 158

Time management NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 59.3 55.4 63.0 56.0 59.6 59.1
3: Somewhat % 31.6 34.8 28.6 32.6 31.4 33.3
2: Very little % 7.3 8.0 6.7 9.1 7.2 6.9
1: Not at all % 1.8 1.8 1.7 2.3 1.8 0.6
Total N 2,114 1,040 1,074 175 1,780 159

Self-discipline NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 59.6 54.3 64.8 61.7 59.3 61.3
3: Somewhat % 32.9 36.8 29.1 32.0 33.3 29.7
2: Very little % 5.7 7.1 4.3 4.0 5.7 7.7
1: Not at all % 1.8 1.7 1.8 2.3 1.7 1.3
Total N 2,105 1,037 1,068 175 1,775 155
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Q World View Goals

Developing tolerance for divergent views NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 47.2 40.0 54.2 52.3 46.4 51.0
3: Somewhat % 39.6 42.1 37.3 34.1 40.5 36.8
2: Very little % 10.2 13.8 6.8 11.4 10.3 8.4
1: Not at all % 2.9 4.2 1.7 2.3 2.9 3.9
Total N 2,091 1,031 1,060 176 1,760 155

Appreciating racial equity NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 44.5 37.2 51.6 48.9 43.6 49.7
3: Somewhat % 38.5 41.1 36.0 27.5 40.0 34.4
2: Very little % 11.7 14.3 9.2 16.9 11.2 10.8
1: Not at all % 5.3 7.5 3.2 6.7 5.2 5.1
Total N 2,080 1,020 1,060 178 1,745 157

Appreciating gender equity NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 44.5 37.5 51.3 50.8 43.3 51.0
3: Somewhat % 38.4 41.6 35.3 27.7 40.0 32.5
2: Very little % 12.0 13.8 10.2 16.4 11.6 11.5
1: Not at all % 5.1 7.1 3.2 5.1 5.1 5.1
Total N 2,076 1,019 1,057 177 1,742 157

Appreciation of the arts NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 35.8 29.7 41.7 38.1 34.5 48.7
3: Somewhat % 34.6 32.8 36.2 34.7 34.9 31.2
2: Very little % 19.5 23.3 15.8 19.9 20.0 13.6
1: Not at all % 10.1 14.1 6.2 7.4 10.7 6.5
Total N 2,080 1,026 1,054 176 1,750 154

Understanding world issues/problems NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 42.1 36.3 47.6 50.0 41.1 44.3
3: Somewhat % 45.3 48.2 42.4 36.0 46.1 46.2
2: Very little % 10.5 12.8 8.4 12.4 10.6 7.6
1: Not at all % 2.1 2.7 1.6 1.7 2.2 1.9
Total N 2,114 1,041 1,073 178 1,778 158

Present as it relates to history NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 39.8 37.6 41.9 45.2 38.7 45.6
3: Somewhat % 46.3 46.9 45.8 41.8 47.2 41.8
2: Very little % 11.5 12.3 10.7 11.3 11.6 10.8
1: Not at all % 2.4 3.2 1.6 1.7 2.5 1.9
Total N 2,104 1,039 1,065 177 1,769 158

Ability to work with diverse people NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
4: Very much % 51.1 46.5 55.6 56.5 50.7 49.7
3: Somewhat % 38.7 40.7 36.8 31.1 39.1 42.7
2: Very little % 7.6 9.7 5.6 8.5 7.8 4.5
1: Not at all % 2.5 3.1 2.0 4.0 2.3 3.2
Total N 2,102 1,032 1,070 177 1,768 157
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For more information on the 2005-2006 Graduating Senior Survey contact:
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: October, 2006

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