Comments by Henry M. Walker

Nature of Data Collected:

• Technical material (e.g., how to traverse a linked list) may have clear correct and incorrect answers
• BUT attitudes are often subjective and correctness not always clear
  • Use quantitative analysis when results are truly quantitative
  • BUT use qualitative analysis when results are qualitative
  • Example: If options for favorite color are 1 (red), 2 (orange), 3 (green), 4 (blue), and 5 (violet)
    means and standard deviation are not appropriate (e.g., the scale is not linear)
• Survey identifies what is, not necessarily what is good or desirable
• Current population of CS faculty: largely white, largely male
  • Diversity may not be reflected in means or other simple quantitative measures
• If want more diversity,
  • might consider current as a start
  • also should consider how diversity might impact the discipline and change responses

created 2 March 2011 last revised 4 March 2011

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