Grady Venville|Léonie J. Rennie|Colin Hanbury|Nancy Longnecker
Scientists Reflect on Why They Chose to Study Science
University of Western Australia|Curtin University|University of Western Australia|University of Western Australia
concern commonly raised literature media relates declining proportions students enter remain science pipeline whether many countries including australia new zealand enough budding scientists fill research industry positions coming years addition concern insufficient numbers students continue science ensure informed scientifically literate citizenry aim research presented paper survey current australian new zealand scientists explore reasons choosing study science online survey conducted via link surveygizmo data presented 726 respondents answered 22 forcedchoice items openended question reasons chose study science quantitative data analysed using tests analyses variance followed duncans multiple range tests qualitative data analysed thematically quantitative data showed main reasons scientists reported choosing study science interested science good science secondary school science classes one particular science teacher also found important factors much less importance prestige science financial considerations qualitative data expanded findings showed passion science andor curiosity world important factors also highlighted importance recreational pursuits camping child words one respondent people dont go science money glory passion knowledge science always attracted field