Enhancing Female Participation And Achievement In Science And Technology Using Mentoring Technique: Perceptions Of Nigerian Female Scientists And Engineers

Abstract

The quest for encouraging more females to participate and subsequently achieve highly in Science and Technology has informed many deliberate efforts and strategies. Prominent among these, in recent time, is the mentoring technique.This study investigated the perception of Nigerian Female Scientists and Engineers in using mentoring technique to enhance female participation and achievement in Science and Technology. A descriptive survey research design was adopted using a sample of one hundred and fifty females. Stratified random sampling technique was employed. This study was guided by one research question and three null hypotheses. A fifteen-item instrument developed by the Investigator was used for data collection and data were analysed using percentages, means and t-test statistical tools. The results indicated that Female Scientists and Engineers had positive perception about the effectiveness of the mentoring technique in enhancing female participation and achievement in Science and Technology. Also, this study documented that there were no significant differences between the perception of respondents based on type of Secondary School they attended and their qualification. This result is a welcome one because it tends to suggest that females whichever Secondary School they might have attended and their level of qualification, in their respective professions, would participate, encourage and promote mentoring of younger females. However, there was a significant difference in the perception of respondents based on their age. It is therefore recommended that successful female Scientists and Engineers be actively involved in mentoring prospective female Scientist and engineers.

African Journal of Cross-Cultural psychology and sport facilitation (AJCPSF) Vol. 8 2006: pp. 27-37