An Expanded Quantitative Methodological Review of Research on Broadening Participation in Computing, 2005-2023

As scholars continue to investigate important factors that contribute to broadening participation in computing (BPC) among women, Black, Latinx, and other persistently marginalized groups, there remains a limited understanding of how BPC-related research is conducted. Given that research methodologies evolve over time and the application of empirical evidence to practice and policy can be contingent on the methodologies used, it is critical to review how recent postsecondary BPC research has been conducted. In this quantitative methodological review, we expand upon our prior paper where we conducted a systematic methodological review of postsecondary BPC-focused journal articles and conference proceedings (129 articles for original paper, 153 in current paper) using quantitative methodologies that were published between 2005-2023. To enhance transparency in our approaches, this study was guided by Moher et al.’s (2009) Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement as an analytic framework for reporting methodological review processes and findings. Results from our content analysis point to a range of important directions for future BPC research; in particular, studies should (a) incorporate more longitudinal and multi-institutional approaches; (b) investigate outcomes that are currently understudied in BPC research, especially those beyond postsecondary experiences (e.g., career trajectories and experiences); (c) build in more sophisticated and multivariate techniques and models; (d) yield insights on smaller racial/ethnic groups, community college students, and students with disabilities, while also accounting for students’ intersecting identities. Doing so will enable scholars to generate nuanced evidence that can be used to better leverage resources for diversifying and equitizing computing education and tech careers.