Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree
Abstract Students’ dropout of Computer Science (CS) education is a crucial issue. This study aims to investigate one of the aspects which can help to retain our students. It is vital to examine CS education on the challenge of competence transition within the BSc curriculum from faculty perspectives...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer Nature
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02794-z |
| _version_ | 1827328165734776832 |
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| author | Rita Takács Szabolcs Takács Judit T. Kárász Attila Oláh Zoltán Horváth |
| author_facet | Rita Takács Szabolcs Takács Judit T. Kárász Attila Oláh Zoltán Horváth |
| author_sort | Rita Takács |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Students’ dropout of Computer Science (CS) education is a crucial issue. This study aims to investigate one of the aspects which can help to retain our students. It is vital to examine CS education on the challenge of competence transition within the BSc curriculum from faculty perspectives. Teachers’ expectations about students’ skills and knowledge are important to understand because they influence learning outcomes and teaching methodologies. Acquiring hard skills and professional skills has outstanding significance in preparing students for their future careers. This study uses Q-methodology to identify the different viewpoints on the skills necessary to obtain a CS degree. Teachers from CS bachelor’s programmes at a large European university participated in the study and shared their opinions. The participants were asked to rank the statements along a spectrum of “the most important skill” to “unimportant skill” (containing hard skills as well as soft skills). Factor analysis revealed five factors that are key components to obtaining a degree in CS: 1. analytical and technical skills, 2. teamwork and self-study experience, 3. group programming experience, 4. communication and problem-solving skills, 5. mathematical foundations and process modelling ability. This exploratory study applied a new research instrument and approach to incorporate teachers’ perspectives into research and practice. These findings could help administrators develop new curricula in order to increase students’ retention. We confirmed the need for acquiring professional skills and highlighted the need for designing new programmes which can improve students’ soft skills to prepare them for work in the IT field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:14:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5c278b5fa3174a809cf6ee9bec913323 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2662-9992 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:14:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-5c278b5fa3174a809cf6ee9bec9133232024-03-05T18:01:05ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922024-02-0111111010.1057/s41599-024-02794-zApplying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degreeRita Takács0Szabolcs Takács1Judit T. Kárász2Attila Oláh3Zoltán Horváth4Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University BudapestInstitute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology and MethodologyDoctoral School of Education, Eötvös Loránd University BudapestDoctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University BudapestFaculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University BudapestAbstract Students’ dropout of Computer Science (CS) education is a crucial issue. This study aims to investigate one of the aspects which can help to retain our students. It is vital to examine CS education on the challenge of competence transition within the BSc curriculum from faculty perspectives. Teachers’ expectations about students’ skills and knowledge are important to understand because they influence learning outcomes and teaching methodologies. Acquiring hard skills and professional skills has outstanding significance in preparing students for their future careers. This study uses Q-methodology to identify the different viewpoints on the skills necessary to obtain a CS degree. Teachers from CS bachelor’s programmes at a large European university participated in the study and shared their opinions. The participants were asked to rank the statements along a spectrum of “the most important skill” to “unimportant skill” (containing hard skills as well as soft skills). Factor analysis revealed five factors that are key components to obtaining a degree in CS: 1. analytical and technical skills, 2. teamwork and self-study experience, 3. group programming experience, 4. communication and problem-solving skills, 5. mathematical foundations and process modelling ability. This exploratory study applied a new research instrument and approach to incorporate teachers’ perspectives into research and practice. These findings could help administrators develop new curricula in order to increase students’ retention. We confirmed the need for acquiring professional skills and highlighted the need for designing new programmes which can improve students’ soft skills to prepare them for work in the IT field.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02794-z |
| spellingShingle | Rita Takács Szabolcs Takács Judit T. Kárász Attila Oláh Zoltán Horváth Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| title | Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| title_full | Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| title_fullStr | Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| title_short | Applying Q-methodology to investigate computer science teachers’ preferences about students’ skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| title_sort | applying q methodology to investigate computer science teachers preferences about students skills and knowledge for obtaining a degree |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02794-z |
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