A Benchmark Study of Scholarship-Related Activities in Engineering Technology

Journal of Engineering Technology, Fall 2006 by Aghayere, Abi, Buchanan, Walter W

Correlation Studies Between Selected Variables and the Highest Degree Offered

In this section, we present correlation studies between several variables and the highest degree offered to determine what relationship, if any, exists.

Correlation between Question #1 (Number of Refereed Articles) and Question #39 (Highest Degree Offered):

For these two variables, we obtained a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.30. indicating that there is a positive correlation between the number of refereed scholarly products reported by ET faculty anil the highest degree offered by an institution. Thus, the higher the highest degree offered by the institution, the higher the number of refereed scholarly products reported by ET faculty. This result is consistent with the higher scholarship expectations at institutions where doctorate degrees are offered.

Correlation between Question #7 (Number of Conference Presentations) and Question #39 (Highest Degree Offered):

For these two variables, we obtain a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = -0.16. indicating that there is a negative correlation between the number of conference presentations (or presentations at meetings) and the highest degree offered by an institution. Thus, the higher the highest degree offered by the institution, the lower the number of conference presentations reported by ET faculty.This result may point to the lower emphasis on conference presentations and higher emphasis on journal publications at institutions that offer doctorate degrees.

Correlation between Question #10 (Requirements for Scholarship) and Question #39 (Highest Degree Offered):

We calculated a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.50. indicating a strong positive correlation between the recquirement for documentation, peer review and dissemination of scholarship and the highest degree offered by the institution. The higher the highest degree offered by the institution, the more likely that the institution requires documentation, peer review and public- dissemination of the intellectual contribution in order for the work to qualify as scholarship. This result appears consistent with the research emphasis of institutions with doctoral degrees where the focus is on refereed publications.

Correlation between Question #26 (Scholarship Requirements for Tenure) and Question #39 (Highest degree Offered):

For these two variables, we obtained a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = -0.04. indicating that there is almost no linear relationship between the tenure scholarship requirements and the highest degree offered by the institution. Thus, for baccalaureate ET programs, the tenure requirements appear to be independent of the highest degree offered by the institution. This would seem to indicate thai for most baccalaureate ET programs, irrespective of the highest degree offered at the institution, scholarship is now a requirement for tenure.The above observations do not apply to community colleges and institutions where teaching is the primary emphasis.