Dataset Associated with the Research Article Titled: Webs of Science: Developmental Networks Influence Women’s Integration into STEM Fields

Developmental network (DN) theory has advanced our understanding of the impact of mentorship by distinguishing between the content (e.g., career support) and the structural characteristics (e.g., density) of mentoring networks. The current study tested the influence of DN content and structure on undergraduate women’s longitudinal social integration into STEM fields. 235 undergraduate women in STEM disciplines at 10 universities completed surveys concerning their science identity, STEM graduate school applications, and DN characteristics over-time. Egocentric network analysis and longitudinal structural equation modeling reveal that DN career support and effective size predicted short-term identity development; while network density predicted long-term science identity development and STEM graduate school applications. The findings indicate that network ties can form “sticky webs” that drive social integration and persistence.