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Understanding Science Identity Development Among College Students

A Systematic Literature Review

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Abstract

This review summarizes the corpus of literature discussing the science identity of college students from various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this review is to understand what experiences afford or impede the development of college students’ science identity and what strategies are effective for strengthening their science identity. A qualitative synthesis of 56 empirical studies was carried out in this study. The review showed that several factors contribute to the development of college students’ science identities; they are (i) social and cultural factors, (ii) contextual factors, and (iii) personal factors. Effective strategies involved in programs and interventions were categorized into two types; they are (i) curriculum organization and enhancements and (ii) mentoring experiences. Practical implications and recommendations are provided for researchers and practitioners in the field of science education in the last section of this article.

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The data and materials used and analyzed for the report were obtained through searching the electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, ERIC, and PsycINFO), and related journal information are available directly from these journals’ websites.

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Funding

This study was supported by a research project entitled “Developing a Science Identity Survey Instrument and Applying It in Measuring the Effects of a STEM program” provided by the University of Macau (MYRG2019-00134-FED).

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  1. Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Room 3027, Taipa, Macau, E33, China

    Zhimeng Jiang & Bing Wei

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  1. Zhimeng Jiang
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JZM and WB conceived the study and contributed with article search, identification, selection, and coding. JZM drafted the manuscript. WB reviewed drafts and contributed to manuscript revisions. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bing Wei.

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Jiang, Z., Wei, B. Understanding Science Identity Development Among College Students. Sci & Educ (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-023-00478-9

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