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Assessing Student Behavior in Computer Science Education with an fsQCA Approach: The Role of Gains and Barriers

Authors:

Ilias O. Pappas,

Michail N. Giannakos,

Letizia Jaccheri,

Demetrios G. SampsonAuthors Info & Claims

ACM Transactions on Computing Education (TOCE), Volume 17, Issue 2

Article No.: 10, Pages 1 - 23

https://doi.org/10.1145/3036399

Published: 23 May 2017 Publication History

Abstract

This study uses complexity theory to understand the causal patterns of factors that stimulate students’ intention to continue studies in computer science (CS). To this end, it identifies gains and barriers as essential factors in CS education, including motivation and learning performance, and proposes a conceptual model along with research propositions. To test its propositions, the study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis on a data sample from 344 students. Findings indicate eight configurations of cognitive and noncognitive gains, barriers, motivation for studies, and learning performance that explain high intention to continue studies in CS. This research study contributes to the literature by (1) offering new insights into the relationships among the predictors of CS students’ intention to continue their studies and (2) advancing the theoretical foundation of how students’ gains, barriers, motivation, and learning performance combine to better explain high intentions to continue CS studies.

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Index Terms

Assessing Student Behavior in Computer Science Education with an fsQCA Approach: The Role of Gains and Barriers
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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cover image ACM Transactions on Computing Education

ACM Transactions on Computing Education Volume 17, Issue 2

June 2017

107 pages

EISSN:1946-6226

DOI:10.1145/3090098

Editor:
Chris Hundhausen
Washington State University, USA

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Copyright © 2017 ACM.

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Publication History

Published: 23 May 2017

Accepted: 01 December 2016

Revised: 01 October 2016

Received: 01 July 2016

Published in TOCE Volume 17, Issue 2

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Chen JChen G(2025)Academic burnout among Chinese college students: A study based on FSQCA methodActa Psychologica10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104701253(104701)Online publication date: Mar-2025
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