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RESEARCH PROPOSAL 
Zoe Bond  
Independent Research G/T 
2018-19 
 
Title:​ ​What Gap?: The Gender Gap in STEM
 
Introduction and Overview of Research 

The general area of investigation is the gender gap in STEM. The problem is that is being
attempting to solve of is lack of women in a STEM related career. The solution is have more
educational opportunities and role model by having an early introduction of STEM in K-12. The
end goal is to have more participation in STEM.

 
Background and Rationale

The current problem in STEM, is the gender gap. Women only hold 26% of STEM
related jobs. Men hold 76% of jobs. Some of cause to the gender gap is that women are more
likely to say that have experienced discrimination because of gender in STEM. But, there are
two main causes to the gap. One cause is that there are 44% of women in STEM jobs, is lack of
encouragement for girls in these subjects from an early age. The second cause, that girls in K-12
are not given a lot of educational opportunities to succeed, and are not given real world problems
that could benefit them in the future.

In addition, the two causes were created due no early introduction of STEM in schools.
By having the early introduction, it would increase more participation of girls in future because
they would have the educational opportunities and would have seen female role models.

The study of the gender gap is important because there has no been increase of women in
STEM related jobs. And every young girls should equally have a role model who provides
guidance and a school that has educational opportunities for girls to learn more STEM with real
world problems that come with it. This is why the topic of the gender gap in STEM is so
important to be researched.
 
Research Methodology

The research question:"With the gender gap between men and women in STEM fields,
what can industries in STEM do to create a more diverse environment for women?”. The
research thesis: Because of this gap, industries are currently in need to produce a more
approachable image for themselves as women are not pursuing a career in STEM because of the
lack of educational opportunities and mentorship programs. The elements that might be argued in
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the synthesis paper was the need for more educational opportunities and more female role
models.

Research Design Model

The specific design model that was used was non-experimental science research and
descriptive research which is qualitative research. This was chosen because non-experimental
science research/document analysis because it would allow a descriptive research of my topic
and find raw data that can be analyzed in a new way. This applies to research because there is a
lot of data that could used toward the topic. The variables were the amount of women in STEM
and solutions to improve the gender gap.

Data Collection

The method to researching the topic wastwo meta-analysis and two interviews because it
was difficult to find four sources to use for the data collection. Using this method for the data
collection it allowed finding people who shared similar knowledge that was presented in the
articles. This was most appropriate for the study because articles that had the data and answer
the interviews had. ​By doing meta analysis and interviews there was a lot of primary research, as
most the answers that were gained were new and data was also very current. The literature
review in the final synthesis paper supports the data collected because the problems and
solutions were very relating.

Product Objectives
 
The product, a brochure, was sent out to students to spread more knowledge about the
gender gap. This will be applied to my primary research because by having of early introductions
of STEM and gender gap given to students they will understand the problem and potentially fix
the problem in the future. Doing a brochure, it would be easier to pass around to students.
The primary audience that the brochure will be given to will be the students of Glenelg but, more
specifically females at Glenelg.
 
Logistical Considerations:

The resources that are needed for the project, will be organizations who want to improve the
current situation in STEM. Some other resource is that permission from schools to share this
with students.The cost to do these will not be a lot. A timeline will be added that outlines the
data collection, product development, and audience distribution.
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Approval:

__________________________ ___________________________ _____________________

Student Signature G/T Resource Teacher Signature Mentor/Advisor Signature