Inclusion of gender perspective in Computer Engineering careers: Elaboration of a questionnaire to assess the gender gap in tertiary education

Abstract

Gender inequality is a global problem present in all facets of life to a greater or lesser degree. In the fields of Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, both in career and work contexts, the gender gap continues. The percentage of women who study or work in the technology sector is around 25% according to different international reports. The incorporation of gender studies in the curricula is considered one of the main actions to close the gender gap in tertiary education. Education programs should approach conceptual mismatches between gender or sex and change its foundations to guarantee equal education for any person by limiting the influence of social stereotypes and dominant culture. There are few studies that aim at describing what is the main stream viewpoints among students from research instruments previously validated. This work describes the process to elaborate a questionnaire on gender perspectives and its validation in order to describe what students of Computer Engineering careers think and what changes can be implemented accordingly in future education programs to close the gender gap.