In a sample of 323 engineering students, structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized relationships between beliefs about the nature of knowledge in science, beliefs about the process of justification for knowing in science, and argumentative reasoning about an ill-structured social-scientific issue. Beliefs about justification for…

Background: Despite the vital function of engineering and computer science (Eng & CS) to innovation and economic development, retention within Eng & CS programs remains a major challenge in the U.S. educational system. Despite extensive research on influential factors of retention, there is a gap in our understanding of how these factors…

A better understanding of how to improve student retention in engineering is required to support students in completing engineering degrees and entering the workforce. Application processes to engineering majors are one barrier to retention in some engineering programs. This study evaluates demographic, grades, application process, and engineering…

Despite efforts to implement innovative approaches such as flipped learning leveraging computer technology, the challenge of student failure persists. Understanding the factors that contribute to student success in flipped engineering courses remains a critical issue. This study addresses this issue by investigating the impact of student…

Background: Engineering requires new solutions to improve undergraduate performance outcomes, including course grades and continued enrollment in engineering pathways. Belonging and engineering role identity have long been associated with successful outcomes in engineering, including academic success, retention, and well-being. Purpose: We measure…

To address the demand for engineers and computer scientists in the workforce, and the fact that some engineering students dropout or change majors, we explored how the motivational climate in an undergraduate computer science (CS) course was related to students' motivational beliefs and academic and career goals. Participants included 310 students…

Background: Attrition of engineering students continues to be a concern in higher education. Despite indications that students who opt to leave engineering programs may go on to make meaningful contributions in other fields more aligned to their interests, it remains essential to support those who choose to stay in engineering with the necessary…

Background: Although most engineering colleges offer a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities to enrich students' sense of belonging to the college, existing literature has not fully captured whether and how the various activities serve to support students' sense of belonging and predict student outcomes. Purpose: We investigated…

Students have misconceptions about many scientific topics they encounter in the classroom--such misconceptions are especially rife in subjects with counterintuitive concepts. Several studies have copiously documented students' misconceptions in different science domains. Research shows that students' misconceptions can be resistant to change and…