STEM vs non-STEM differences in university teaching and research during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Sri Lanka
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 22 April 2022
Issue publication date: 3 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the differences between science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines in terms of the changes to teaching and research practices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses survey responses collected between July and November 2020 from 241 academics (excluding library staff) from the five oldest state universities in Sri Lanka. The analysis focuses on the differences between STEM and non-STEM faculty using multiple linear regression to control for demographic characteristics such as age, gender and designation as well as university-specific factors.
Findings
The paper finds significant differences in the teaching practices of STEM and non-STEM academics, both in terms of preparation time for teaching and tools used for online delivery. Significant differences are also observed in research practices, with STEM faculty being significantly more likely to engage in research collaborations, obtain research funding and be involved in more research projects. The authors do not find any evidence of the pandemic having differential impacts on research productivity between the broad disciplines.
Originality/value
This research provides insights into the differences between STEM and non-STEM disciplines in online teaching and research practices adopted since the onset of the pandemic, which are important for formulating appropriate policy responses to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on both students and staff. The contribution is particularly significant for developing countries where the creation of a skilled workforce is a key driver of the development process.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
For compiling contact details and administering the online survey, we gratefully acknowledge the support of Suwani Gunasekara, Mathithayani Mathimakan and Narmada Rajakanthan.
Disclosure statement: The authors declare that they have no relevant or material financial or non-financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.
Citation
de Silva, T. and Wickramasinghe, V. (2022), "STEM vs non-STEM differences in university teaching and research during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Sri Lanka", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 36 No. 5, pp. 678-693. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2021-0272
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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