Minority Women in Science [microform] : A Statistical View. National Network of Minority Women in Science / Paula Quick Hall and Shirley M. Malcom

This document presents a statistical profile of minority women in science based on unpublished 1980-81 data from the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, and from the Scientific Manpower Commission. Areas examined include numbers of minority scientists and engineers, academic degrees, secondary and college participation, employment rates, employment status, and salaries. Among the findings are those indicating that: (1) in 1981 there were 4,809 minority women doctoral scientists and engineers; (2) in most fields minority women are a larger percentage of new doctorates (1980-81) than they are of the existing United States doctoral population (1981); (3) 94 percent of minority women undergraduate students and 93.5 percent of graduate students are majoring in disciplines other than science or engineering (SE); (4) employment rates of SE Ph.D's show lower full-time rates and higher rates of unemployment for all minority groups when compared with those of white scientists; and in every racial and/or ethnic category men are more likely than women to be employed outside academe. It is indicated that additional studies are needed and that the scarcity of data disaggregated by race and sex makes it difficult to accurately determine current status or assess changes. (JN)