Using Constructivist Grounded Theory to Understand Why Female Secondary Students Engage in Scientific Research

<i>In the United States, science education has undergone substantial reform efforts due to projections of an increased need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Recent reform efforts call for students to engage in scientific inquiry through the practices of scientists and engineers. Research highlights the potential for student immersion in research and engineering practices, such as science fairs, to meet the needs of updated standards. Furthermore, groups of students that have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM careers, such as women, might benefit from science learning opportunities like scientific research for science fairs that can take place both within and outside of the typical school day. While some research has investigated student motivation using expectancy-value theory, for example, and other research has investigated students' compulsory participation, no known research has produced a theoretical model of why students choose to become involved in science research opportunities. Constructivist grounded theory is one approach that can develop theory about these motivational processes, from the perspective of the participant. The goal of this study was to theorize about female students' motivational processes when they re-engage with scientific research across grades 6-12. Data was collected through intensive interviews and analyzed using constructivist grounded theory from 21 students across eight rural and urban school districts in a Great Plains state. Findings, vetted through theoretical sampling and member-checking, yielded a theoretical model of the processes, challenges, and supports female students encountered. This study contributes to the literature on motivation to do scientific research through science fairs as findings highlight students’ needs for autonomy in their research topic, students’ realization of scientific research as a tool to investigate meaningful problems, and findings suggest the development of science identity. Science fairs are seen as venues where difference-making research can be divulged to the scientific community.</i>