North Carolina State University
2007-2008 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 "2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey." A table comparing mean ratings is available in "2007-2008 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	47.9%	42.8%	52.7%	55.5%	47.1%	49.0%
3: Somewhat	41.4%	43.5%	39.5%	34.2%	42.3%	39.5%
2: Very little	9.2%	11.8%	6.7%	8.4%	9.2%	9.0%
1: Not at all	1.5%	1.9%	1.1%	1.9%	1.3%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,075	1,011	1,064	155	1,720	200

Speaking skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	48.0%	45.1%	50.8%	53.8%	47.4%	49.0%
3: Somewhat	40.6%	40.7%	40.6%	33.3%	41.1%	42.5%
2: Very little	9.9%	12.1%	7.8%	10.9%	10.2%	6.0%
1: Not at all	1.4%	2.2%	0.8%	1.9%	1.3%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,075	1,011	1,064	156	1,719	200

Listening skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	50.5%	45.4%	55.3%	59.0%	49.4%	53.3%
3: Somewhat	40.8%	44.1%	37.7%	28.2%	42.0%	40.7%
2: Very little	7.4%	8.5%	6.3%	12.2%	7.3%	4.5%
1: Not at all	1.3%	2.0%	0.7%	0.6%	1.3%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,069	1,009	1,060	156	1,714	199

Comprehension skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	58.8%	54.1%	63.3%	58.1%	58.5%	61.6%
3: Somewhat	35.3%	39.0%	31.8%	34.2%	35.7%	32.8%
2: Very little	5.1%	6.0%	4.2%	7.1%	5.0%	4.0%
1: Not at all	0.8%	0.8%	0.8%	0.6%	0.7%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,063	1,009	1,054	155	1,710	198

Using math skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	46.5%	52.3%	41.0%	40.5%	46.8%	48.2%
3: Somewhat	36.5%	33.3%	39.6%	43.8%	36.0%	35.2%
2: Very little	13.8%	12.1%	15.5%	13.7%	13.9%	13.1%
1: Not at all	3.2%	2.3%	4.0%	2.0%	3.2%	3.5%
Total (N)	2,060	1,006	1,054	153	1,708	199

Applying scientific methods	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	52.5%	56.1%	49.1%	52.6%	52.3%	54.3%
3: Somewhat	36.1%	34.3%	37.8%	36.4%	36.1%	35.5%
2: Very little	9.4%	7.7%	11.1%	9.7%	9.6%	7.6%
1: Not at all	1.9%	1.9%	2.0%	1.3%	1.9%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,054	1,001	1,053	154	1,703	197

Enhancing analytic skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	62.8%	63.2%	62.3%	56.1%	63.9%	58.1%
3: Somewhat	34.3%	33.9%	34.6%	41.4%	33.0%	39.4%
2: Very little	2.6%	2.5%	2.8%	2.5%	2.7%	2.0%
1: Not at all	0.3%	0.4%	0.3%	0.0%	0.4%	0.5%
Total (N)	2,057	1,008	1,049	157	1,702	198

Developing computer skills	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	45.6%	48.5%	42.9%	47.1%	45.1%	49.0%
3: Somewhat	39.8%	36.1%	43.4%	42.6%	40.1%	35.5%
2: Very little	12.3%	13.1%	11.6%	9.7%	12.5%	13.0%
1: Not at all	2.2%	2.3%	2.2%	0.6%	2.3%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,064	1,010	1,054	155	1,709	200

Science/tech influence on everyday life	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	52.1%	52.7%	51.6%	49.7%	52.0%	55.3%
3: Somewhat	37.3%	37.4%	37.2%	38.1%	37.3%	36.7%
2: Very little	8.9%	8.2%	9.6%	12.3%	8.9%	6.5%
1: Not at all	1.7%	1.7%	1.6%	0.0%	1.8%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,055	1,008	1,047	155	1,701	199

Using library/internet resources for research	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	62.1%	52.9%	71.0%	63.5%	62.2%	60.8%
3: Somewhat	29.1%	34.6%	23.9%	28.8%	28.9%	31.7%
2: Very little	7.0%	10.0%	4.2%	7.7%	7.2%	4.5%
1: Not at all	1.7%	2.5%	0.9%	0.0%	1.7%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,066	1,009	1,057	156	1,711	199

Adapt to changing technologies	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	51.7%	50.3%	53.0%	50.6%	51.9%	50.5%
3: Somewhat	39.2%	38.7%	39.7%	41.0%	39.2%	37.8%
2: Very little	7.5%	9.1%	6.1%	6.4%	7.5%	9.2%
1: Not at all	1.6%	1.9%	1.2%	1.9%	1.4%	2.6%
Total (N)	2,054	1,004	1,050	156	1,702	196

Critical analysis of ideas/info	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	65.9%	62.2%	69.4%	63.9%	66.5%	61.9%
3: Somewhat	30.4%	33.4%	27.6%	32.9%	29.8%	33.5%
2: Very little	3.4%	3.9%	2.9%	3.2%	3.4%	3.6%
1: Not at all	0.3%	0.5%	0.1%	0.0%	0.2%	1.0%
Total (N)	2,052	1,000	1,052	155	1,700	197

Ability to plan/carry out projects indep	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	65.4%	60.6%	70.1%	66.7%	64.7%	71.2%
3: Somewhat	30.3%	34.2%	26.6%	26.9%	31.3%	24.2%
2: Very little	3.2%	3.9%	2.6%	5.8%	3.0%	3.0%
1: Not at all	1.0%	1.4%	0.7%	0.6%	1.0%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,066	1,009	1,057	156	1,712	198

Understand diverse cultures/values	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	53.8%	45.9%	61.3%	55.1%	53.4%	56.3%
3: Somewhat	35.7%	40.0%	31.6%	32.7%	36.3%	33.2%
2: Very little	8.4%	10.9%	6.0%	8.3%	8.5%	7.0%
1: Not at all	2.1%	3.1%	1.1%	3.8%	1.8%	3.5%
Total (N)	2,054	999	1,055	156	1,699	199

Ability to lead or guide others	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	54.1%	48.3%	59.7%	56.1%	54.3%	51.0%
3: Somewhat	37.0%	41.2%	33.0%	31.2%	37.3%	38.9%
2: Very little	7.6%	9.3%	6.0%	9.6%	7.2%	9.1%
1: Not at all	1.3%	1.3%	1.3%	3.2%	1.2%	1.0%
Total (N)	2,060	1,005	1,055	157	1,705	198

Ability to function as part of a team	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	60.7%	56.3%	65.0%	59.0%	60.6%	62.6%
3: Somewhat	33.1%	36.2%	30.2%	32.7%	33.6%	29.3%
2: Very little	5.2%	6.5%	4.0%	6.4%	4.9%	7.1%
1: Not at all	1.0%	1.1%	0.9%	1.9%	0.9%	1.0%
Total (N)	2,056	1,006	1,050	156	1,702	198

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Q Personal Development Goals

Recognize/act upon ethical principles	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	50.6%	44.7%	56.3%	54.8%	49.6%	55.6%
3: Somewhat	38.5%	41.9%	35.3%	33.5%	39.6%	33.3%
2: Very little	8.5%	10.4%	6.7%	9.0%	8.3%	9.6%
1: Not at all	2.3%	3.0%	1.7%	2.6%	2.4%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,047	1,002	1,045	155	1,694	198

Public responsibility/community svc	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	35.2%	27.6%	42.3%	39.6%	34.4%	38.2%
3: Somewhat	43.7%	45.0%	42.6%	40.9%	44.4%	40.3%
2: Very little	16.5%	20.9%	12.4%	16.2%	16.4%	17.8%
1: Not at all	4.6%	6.6%	2.7%	3.2%	4.8%	3.7%
Total (N)	2,014	976	1,038	154	1,669	191

Value learning as a life-long process	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	59.1%	52.4%	65.4%	59.1%	59.1%	59.0%
3: Somewhat	33.4%	37.7%	29.4%	33.8%	33.5%	32.8%
2: Very little	6.1%	7.8%	4.6%	5.8%	6.1%	6.7%
1: Not at all	1.4%	2.1%	0.7%	1.3%	1.4%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,050	996	1,054	154	1,701	195

Commitment to personal health/fitness	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	37.3%	34.1%	40.4%	43.9%	36.4%	40.1%
3: Somewhat	41.6%	42.0%	41.2%	36.1%	42.5%	38.6%
2: Very little	16.7%	17.9%	15.4%	15.5%	16.6%	18.3%
1: Not at all	4.4%	6.0%	3.0%	4.5%	4.6%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,048	998	1,050	155	1,696	197

Taking responsibility for own behavior	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	56.6%	50.1%	62.9%	59.4%	56.2%	58.4%
3: Somewhat	33.3%	37.6%	29.1%	27.1%	33.9%	33.0%
2: Very little	7.0%	8.0%	6.0%	9.7%	7.0%	5.1%
1: Not at all	3.1%	4.3%	2.0%	3.9%	3.0%	3.6%
Total (N)	2,047	997	1,050	155	1,695	197

Self-confidence	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	51.7%	47.0%	56.1%	55.8%	50.9%	54.8%
3: Somewhat	36.6%	40.0%	33.3%	27.9%	38.1%	30.5%
2: Very little	8.5%	8.5%	8.5%	9.1%	8.1%	11.7%
1: Not at all	3.3%	4.5%	2.1%	7.1%	2.9%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,054	998	1,056	154	1,703	197

Sense of personal identity	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	55.1%	48.5%	61.3%	57.8%	54.5%	57.9%
3: Somewhat	33.4%	37.0%	30.0%	26.6%	34.7%	27.4%
2: Very little	8.2%	10.3%	6.2%	9.1%	7.7%	11.7%
1: Not at all	3.3%	4.2%	2.5%	6.5%	3.1%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,046	994	1,052	154	1,695	197

Independence and self-reliance	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	65.4%	59.3%	71.3%	65.0%	64.7%	72.1%
3: Somewhat	28.3%	33.2%	23.7%	27.4%	29.0%	22.8%
2: Very little	4.5%	5.4%	3.6%	5.1%	4.6%	2.5%
1: Not at all	1.8%	2.2%	1.4%	2.5%	1.6%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,060	1,004	1,056	157	1,706	197

Potential for success	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	67.2%	61.4%	72.8%	68.2%	66.8%	70.2%
3: Somewhat	27.9%	32.2%	23.7%	26.8%	28.2%	25.8%
2: Very little	3.9%	5.0%	2.8%	5.1%	3.9%	2.5%
1: Not at all	1.0%	1.4%	0.7%	0.0%	1.1%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,057	1,003	1,054	157	1,702	198

Coping with change	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	59.3%	52.2%	65.9%	61.8%	58.4%	65.2%
3: Somewhat	33.3%	39.3%	27.6%	31.2%	33.8%	30.3%
2: Very little	5.8%	6.8%	4.9%	5.7%	6.1%	3.5%
1: Not at all	1.6%	1.7%	1.5%	1.3%	1.7%	1.0%
Total (N)	2,055	1,001	1,054	157	1,700	198

Ability to handle stress	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	55.3%	52.0%	58.4%	53.5%	54.9%	60.4%
3: Somewhat	33.0%	34.6%	31.5%	33.1%	33.4%	29.4%
2: Very little	9.2%	10.2%	8.3%	10.8%	9.3%	7.1%
1: Not at all	2.5%	3.2%	1.8%	2.5%	2.4%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,056	1,002	1,054	157	1,702	197

Personal growth	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	66.2%	58.7%	73.3%	66.2%	65.9%	68.9%
3: Somewhat	29.6%	35.7%	23.9%	28.7%	30.1%	26.5%
2: Very little	3.6%	4.9%	2.3%	5.1%	3.4%	3.6%
1: Not at all	0.6%	0.7%	0.6%	0.0%	0.6%	1.0%
Total (N)	2,053	1,001	1,052	157	1,700	196

Time management	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	60.4%	53.4%	67.0%	62.2%	60.1%	61.1%
3: Somewhat	32.2%	37.3%	27.3%	26.9%	32.7%	31.8%
2: Very little	5.9%	7.3%	4.6%	8.3%	5.9%	4.0%
1: Not at all	1.6%	2.1%	1.0%	2.6%	1.3%	3.0%
Total (N)	2,059	1,004	1,055	156	1,705	198

Self-discipline	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	61.3%	53.5%	68.7%	67.1%	60.4%	64.3%
3: Somewhat	32.3%	38.7%	26.1%	23.9%	33.6%	27.6%
2: Very little	5.2%	6.3%	4.1%	7.7%	4.9%	5.6%
1: Not at all	1.3%	1.5%	1.0%	1.3%	1.1%	2.6%
Total (N)	2,049	1,001	1,048	155	1,698	196

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Q World View Goals

Developing tolerance for divergent views	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	52.4%	43.6%	60.8%	53.2%	51.8%	57.3%
3: Somewhat	36.2%	41.8%	30.8%	32.5%	37.0%	32.2%
2: Very little	8.9%	10.8%	7.0%	11.0%	8.8%	8.0%
1: Not at all	2.5%	3.7%	1.4%	3.2%	2.5%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,044	997	1,047	154	1,691	199

Appreciating racial equity	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	49.9%	43.1%	56.2%	47.1%	49.9%	51.8%
3: Somewhat	34.7%	36.0%	33.5%	33.5%	35.3%	30.7%
2: Very little	11.0%	14.1%	8.0%	13.5%	10.6%	12.1%
1: Not at all	4.4%	6.7%	2.3%	5.8%	4.2%	5.5%
Total (N)	2,029	983	1,046	155	1,675	199

Appreciating gender equity	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	49.4%	42.6%	55.7%	48.4%	49.4%	50.0%
3: Somewhat	35.2%	37.1%	33.5%	32.3%	35.7%	33.8%
2: Very little	11.4%	14.3%	8.6%	15.5%	11.1%	10.6%
1: Not at all	4.0%	5.9%	2.2%	3.9%	3.8%	5.6%
Total (N)	2,026	983	1,043	155	1,673	198

Appreciation of the arts	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	39.9%	34.6%	44.9%	39.6%	39.2%	46.4%
3: Somewhat	34.0%	34.2%	33.7%	39.0%	33.8%	31.4%
2: Very little	18.0%	20.1%	16.0%	15.6%	18.5%	14.9%
1: Not at all	8.2%	11.1%	5.4%	5.8%	8.5%	7.2%
Total (N)	2,041	991	1,050	154	1,693	194

Understanding world issues/problems	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	44.6%	38.9%	50.1%	51.9%	43.6%	48.0%
3: Somewhat	42.5%	44.4%	40.7%	37.8%	43.2%	40.4%
2: Very little	11.5%	14.7%	8.4%	8.3%	11.9%	10.1%
1: Not at all	1.4%	2.1%	0.8%	1.9%	1.3%	1.5%
Total (N)	2,059	1,003	1,056	156	1,705	198

Present as it relates to history	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	43.6%	39.2%	47.9%	49.7%	42.7%	47.2%
3: Somewhat	41.8%	42.7%	40.9%	38.2%	42.4%	39.1%
2: Very little	13.2%	16.1%	10.4%	10.8%	13.6%	11.2%
1: Not at all	1.4%	2.0%	0.8%	1.3%	1.2%	2.5%
Total (N)	2,055	1,002	1,053	157	1,701	197

Ability to work with diverse people	NCSU	Men	Women	AfAm	White	Other
4: Very much	53.7%	47.6%	59.6%	55.4%	53.6%	54.1%
3: Somewhat	37.2%	40.6%	34.0%	34.4%	37.7%	35.2%
2: Very little	7.7%	10.2%	5.4%	8.3%	7.7%	7.7%
1: Not at all	1.3%	1.7%	0.9%	1.9%	1.1%	3.1%
Total (N)	2,056	1,003	1,053	157	1,703	196

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For more information on the 2007-2008 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: April, 2009

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