Questionnaire with university students on STEM studies in Higher Education (QSTEMHE). Dataset from STEM students from Brazilian Higher Education Institutions

This dataset originates from a research study analyzing university students' perceptions of gender in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields across Brazil and Spain. It explores the intersection of gender, race, and academic fields to uncover the cultural, social, and systemic influences on opinions about gender disparities in STEM education and careers.

The dataset includes responses from 1,298 participants in Brazil and comparative data from Spain, collected using a validated questionnaire (QSTEMHE, Questionnaire with university students on STEM studies in Higher Education). The questionnaire assesses gender stereotypes, self-perceptions, interest, attitudes, and expectations regarding STEM fields. The Brazilian data was adapted for linguistic and cultural relevance and incorporates additional variables like race, which was not included in the Spanish analysis.

Empirical Dimensions:

Gender Stereotypes (GS)

Perceptions and Self-Perceptions (PSP)

Interest in STEM (INT)

Attitudes (AC)

Expectations about Sciences (EXP)

Methodology: The data was collected through an online questionnaire distributed across higher education institutions in Brazil, ensuring representation of diverse academic levels, socioeconomic statuses, and racial backgrounds. The analysis includes descriptive and inferential statistics, such as Mann-Whitney U tests, to explore differences by gender, field of study, and race.