Porter, D S (2018) Spatial abilities of construction and related professionals. PhD thesis, Colorado State University, USA.
Abstract
Researchers have established that spatial ability is a pre dictor of success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Unknown are the differences of spatial abilities among Construction Professionals comparative t o other STEM and Non-STEM Professionals. The purpose of this study is to discover if there are specific activities, experiences, or education that are perceived to improve mental rotation abilities among practicing professionals in construction and related fields. Partic ipants for this study were coded into four groups of professionals consisting of Construction Profess ionals, Construction Related Professionals, STEM Professionals and Non-STEM Profes sionals (N = 238). The population from which the sample was drawn came from a purchased nati onal email list organized by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes. Utilizing a survey instrument and the Purdue Spatial Visualizat ion Test: Rotations (PSVT:R), differences in spatial ability were measured among these groups of professionals. A statistically significant difference was found between th e mean scores of Construction Professionals and Non-STEM Professionals (p = . 016), and an effect size of . 031 was reported. No other statistically significant differences in mean sc ores exist among the four groups. Test results facilitated comparisons of ability with self- attributed activities that enhanced spatial ability. Analysis showed that drawing was attributed more frequently among high scoring individuals (52%) than low scoring individuals (15%) as a useful activity enhancing spatial ability. PSVT:R scores were also compared with the amount of time per day participants made use of their spatial abilities. No statistically significant difference was found. iii Findings from this study suggest that higher spatial abilities are present among Construction Professionals and add an important dimension to industry recruitment with the potential implementation of spatial ability testing. Const ruction education curriculum likewise benefits from these findings that suggest drawing as an impor tant activity increasing one ’ s spatial ability.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Makela, C and Glick, S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | education; mathematics; population; recruitment |
| Index terms: | population, survey, spatial ability, science, drawing, construction professional, recruitment, testing, implementation, dimension |
| Subjects: | cognitive psychology, demography, specialized education, contractual arrangements, professional practice, management, professional development, data collection methods, technical documentation, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Education, Procurement, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Urban Studies, Design Practice, Human Resources, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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