Gender and the Study of Economics: The Role of Gender of the Instructor

Publication: Journal of Economic Education

Volume: Volume 30, No. 1

Issue: Winter 1999

Pages: 3-19

Author(s): Roberta Edgecombe Robb (Brock University) and A. Leslie Robb (McMaster University)

Address (Principal Author):A. Leslie Robb, Professor of Economics, McMaster University, Department of Economics, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4, Canada, (905) 525-9140, fax: (905) 521-8232

Internet Address (Principal Author):robb@mcmaster.ca

Title: Gender and the Study of Economics: The Role of Gender of the Instructor

Abstract: No evidence is found that gender of instructor matters in first year university microeconomics performance or in the likelihood that a student will continue in economics, but female students do fare worse in economics than do male students controlling for measured ability and background. Moreover, fewer females continue in economics than do males.