Understanding Gender Differences in Computer Attitudes, Aptitude, and Use

A theoretical analysis of methods used by researchers to examine gender differences in behaviour toward computers is offered. Most studies have used a quantitative, constructtesting, cross-sectional approach to assess general behaviours. It is argued that a qualitative, contextual, developmental approach examining specific cognitive tasks is required if we want to shift from simply identifying gender differences to understanding them. This alternative approach offers the potential to develop a more cohesive and comprehensive understanding of human-computer interaction. Without this understanding we will continue to identify only pieces of a very complex puzzle.