5.10.1 Demographic limitations
Several limitations were addressed as this study progressed:
As this study progressed, it was unclear what types of classes were taught by male or female WFD faculty.
A questionnaire item addressed whether or not WFD faculty taught a credit course for the community college. It would have been beneficial to know the title and subject of the credit course and why the faculty member taught the course.
A questionnaire item asked WFD faculty respondents to identify their degree level attained but did not ask the WFD faculty member to identify specifically the degree field. It would have been
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helpful to correlate the type of degree they hold with the courses they teach. Another limitation of this study presented itself with the analysis of this question. Depending on the specific field of study, many disciplines do not require advanced degrees. As is often the case in WFD at the community college, a BS degree in engineering is more than adequate to teach in the WFD engineering technologies labs. Another limitation of this survey depends on the community college policies regarding degree attainment for teaching certain classes within WFD. In relation, interviewees addressed this concern stating that degree attainment of the faculty depends on the type of course they are teaching, credit, noncredit, or contractual. Community colleges have different policies regarding this area. Depending on the policies found within a community college, the selection of “some college” stood out as an interesting component of this questionnaire item. However, this questionnaire item indicated that WFD divisions attract individuals with advanced degrees and nearly 40 percent of the respondents reported having an advanced degree. Interestingly, 12.5% of the respondents only had “some college”, indicating that WFD does hire individuals who may be technically superior, but did not finish college.5.10.1 Demographic limitations
Several limitations were addressed as this study progressed:
As this study progressed, it was unclear what types of classes were taught by male or female WFD faculty.
A questionnaire item addressed whether or not WFD faculty taught a credit course for the community college. It would have been beneficial to know the title and subject of the credit course and why the faculty member taught the course.
A questionnaire item asked WFD faculty respondents to identify their degree level attained but did not ask the WFD faculty member to identify specifically the degree field. It would have been
112
helpful to correlate the type of degree they hold with the courses they teach. Another limitation of this study presented itself with the analysis of this question. Depending on the specific field of study, many disciplines do not require advanced degrees. As is often the case in WFD at the community college, a BS degree in engineering is more than adequate to teach in the WFD engineering technologies labs. Another limitation of this survey depends on the community college policies regarding degree attainment for teaching certain classes within WFD. In relation, interviewees addressed this concern stating that degree attainment of the faculty depends on the type of course they are teaching, credit, noncredit, or contractual. Community colleges have different policies regarding this area. Depending on the policies found within a community college, the selection of “some college” stood out as an interesting component of this questionnaire item. However, this questionnaire item indicated that WFD divisions attract individuals with advanced degrees and nearly 40 percent of the respondents reported having an advanced degree. Interestingly, 12.5% of the respondents only had “some college”, indicating that WFD does hire individuals who may be technically superior, but did not finish college.