International Postgraduate Students Perception of Gender Bias in Universities
Author(s)
Abass Adamu , Osei Gideon Opoku ,
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Abstract
This study used 425 postgraduate international students in China, comprising 57.6% of males, 39.7% of females, and 2.8% not reporting their gender. The study targeted a cross-section of students studying for their postgraduate education in China. However, a convenience random sampling technique was used to reach out to the respondents through an online survey using Microsoft form survey platform shared through WhatsApp groups and WeChat groups. These platforms were used due to their flexibility and availability of students based on their online presence. The study found that the relationships between race and perceived prejudice towards gender are also interesting. Black respondents were more likely than non-black respondents to expect females to face gender bias at university regarding discrimination, networking and mentoring opportunities, and socialization. However, when confronted with university gender discrimination, black students reported that they would be less impacted than non-black students by the effects of discrimination on their self-confidence, academic advancement, academic satisfaction, and academic commitment. One reason may be that a greater percentage of black students have already been subjected to other forms of discrimination in their lives, making them aware that discrimination continues to occur in many forms. Moreover, they are causing them to be far more desensitized than non-black students to acts of discrimination. This is just a hypothesis and poses more possibilities for future studies
Keywords
Gender bias; postgraduate students; International students; China
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