Business Encounters: Life Scientist Simulation Experience to Enhance Entrepreneurial Intent and Self-efficacy
Grant #R43 GM131458, Phase II Summative Study
Spring 2023 (May 12 – May 21)
(All Summative Evaluation Data Combined)
Table of Contents
Post-Intervention Change Surveys
Satisfaction Surveys
Non-Simulation Content Ratings 11
2 Week Followup Survey
Summative Evaluation Follow-Up data 15
Qualitative Data Analysis
Qualitative Data Thematic Analysis
Summative Enrollment Data
N=28
Table: Racial, Ethnic, and Sex Categories of Participants
| Racial Categories | Ethnic Categories | |||||||||
| Not Hispanic or Latino | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown/Not Reported Ethnicity | Total | |||||||
| Female | Male | Unknown | Female | Male | Unknown | Female | Male | Unknown | ||
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black or African American | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| White | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| More Than One Race | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 25 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Life Science Categories of Participants
A broad range of life sciences was represented. The most frequent sciences being studied by participants were:
Summative: Biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology were the most common in group 2 with 3 each, followed by, cancer research, plant science, evolutionary biology, and food science with 2 each. Six other life sciences and related disciplines had one participant each (biomedical, cell biology, developmental biology, earth sciences, immunology, toxicology).
Age Range
18-24: 5 (17.8%)
25-34: 22 (78.6%)
35-44: 1 (3.6%)
Summary: Participants were between the ages of 18 and 44. The majority of participants (78.6%) were between age 25 and 34.
Job/Position or Stage of Training
Undergraduate – 1 (3.6%)
Graduate student – 22 (78.5%)
Post doc or intern – 4 (14.3%)
Researcher in Industry – 1 (3.6%)
Summary: Most of the participants were graduate students (78.5%) and the second largest group of participants was post docs or interns (14.3%).
Degree Status
PhD 3 (10.8%)
Masters Degree 2 (7.1%)
Future PhD 17 (60.8%)
- 2023 3
- 2024 5
- 2025 5
- 2026 2
- 2027 2
Future MS 2 (7.1%)
Future BS 1 (3.6%)
Food Science 1 (3.6%)
Graduate or Graduate Student NOS 2 7.1%
Summary: Five participants already had degrees (3 PhD and 2 Masters). Three participants were graduating with PhDs in 2023. Fourteen participants were in PhD programs and expected to graduate in 1 to 5 years. Two participants were in master’s degree programs and expected to graduate in 1 year. One participant was an undergraduate and another was a Food Science student, both of whom expected to graduate in one year. 2 participants were graduate students with incomplete information.
Entrepreneurship Experience
I worked at a startup founded by someone else – 4 (14.3%)
I have no experience with startups – 24 (85.7%)
I have taken initial steps to found a startup – 0
I have founded a business myself – 0
Summary: Most of the participants (24/28, 85.7%) had no experience with business startups. Four (14.3%) had worked at startups.
Entrepreneurial Formative Experiences
Please answer these questions regarding your formative experiences in business and experience with game playing. N=28.
| Not at all N (%) | A little N (%) | Some N (%) | A moderate amount N (%) | A lot N (%) | Average Score | |
| I watched friends or family start a business. | 3 (10.7%) | 12 (42.8%) | 4 (14.3%) | 5 (17.9%) | 4 (14.3%) | 2.8 |
| I looked for information on starting a business in the past year. | 14 (50.0%) | 9 (32.1%) | 4 (14.3%) | 1 (3.6%) | 0 | 1.7 |
| I have been influenced by others to consider starting a business. | 8 (28.6%) | 10 (35.7%) | 7 (25.0%) | 2 (7.1%) | 1 (3.6%) | 2.2 |
| I play or have played electronic games. | 0 | 7 (25.0%) | 9 (32.2%) | 6 (21.4%) | 6 (21.4%) | 3.4 |
Summary: There was a lot of variety among participants in the amount of formative business experience they had, but only a minority had a moderate to a lot of experience in watching others start a business, being influenced by others to start a business, or looking into starting a business themselves in the past year.
There was a lot of variety in the amount of experience participants had playing games, with experience being fairly evenly divided between a little, some, a moderate amount, and a lot.
POST-INTERVENTION CHANGE
Self-Efficacy Change
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement: This experience increased my confidence in:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| Being able to make the right decision for me about starting a business*. | 0 | 0 | 5 | 22 | 1 | 23 82.1% | 3.86 (.45) |
| Being able to start a business. | 0 | 1 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 17 60.7% | 3.61 (.63) |
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| I could be successful if I wanted to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 16 57.1% | 3.68 (.67) |
Please rate how much this experience changed your confidence in the following abilities:
| Much Less Confident | Less Confident | Neutral | More Confident | Much More Confident | N % More Confident | Average (SD) | |
| Learning how to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 27 96.4% | 4.04 (.33) |
| Convincing others, such as investors*, to help you start a business. | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 50% | 3.5 (.51) |
| Making a business plan. | 0 | 1 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 20 71.4% | 3.68 (.55) |
| Obtaining funds to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 21 75% | 3.82 (.55) |
| Managing a business. | 0 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 11 39.3% | 3.36 (.56) |
| Succeeding if you tried to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 19 67.8% | 3.79 (.63) |
“such as investors” added 5/15/23
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| I am already confident in these things | 3 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 14.3% | 2.5 (.88) |
Intent Change
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| This experience increased my intention to start a life science-related business, lab, or other service someday. | 0 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 15 53.6% | 3.43 (.88) |
If you disagreed with the above question or answered “Neutral” please answer this question: Reasons affecting my intention to start a business include (Please select all that apply):
- I already have a firm intention to pursue a different career path that definitely does not include starting a business: 10 (35.7%)
- What I learned in BioStartupAdvice decreased my interest in starting a business: 0
- I do not like business or prefer science not affected by the market place: 3 (10.7%)
- I already had a high intent to start a business. This experience did not increase it: 1 (3.6%)
- Other: 2 (7.2%)
- Investing before starting a business and it’s effect on family finances haven’t been completely addressed. 1 (3.6%)
- My field of research doesn’t easily lend itself to concepts or products that can be business worthy. 1 (3.6%)
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| This experience would be useful if I wanted to start a business. | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 16 | 27 96.4% | 4.5 (.69) |
Please rate how much reviewing these materials affected your intention to do the following:
| Much Less Intention | Less Intention | Neutral | More Intention | Much More Intention | N % Increased Intention | Average Score | |
| To attend industry networking events. | 1 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 24 85.7% | 4.04 (.58) |
| To seek mentors to further my career. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 26 92.8% | 4.29 (.60) |
| To learn about opportunities for women-owned businesses. | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 7 | 24 85.7% | 4.11 (.63) |
| To create a network of support with other women scientists. | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 7 | 24 85.7% | 4.11 (.63) |
| To do what it takes to start a business. | 0 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 12 42.8% | 3.46 (.69) |
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| If I wanted to start a business, I would be willing to work hard to help ensure its success. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 28 100% | 4.5 (.51) |
Interest, Beliefs, and Knowledge Change
Summative Evaluation data May 12, 2023 to May 21, 2023
n=28
Interest Change
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| This experience increased my interest in starting a small business*. | 0 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 18 64.3% | 3.54 (.69) |
How much did this experience change your interest in the following?
| Strongly Decreased Interest | Decreased Interest | Neutral | Increased Interest | Strongly Increased Interest | N % Increased Interest | Average Score | |
| Learning the steps to starting a business. | 0 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 2 | 17 60.7% | 3.68 (.61) |
| Learning better communications skills for being an entrepreneur. | 0 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 3 | 21 75% | 3.82 (.67) |
| Participating in organizations for women in the life sciences. | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 24 85.7% | 4.14 (.65) |
| Participating in organizations for women entrepreneurs. | 0 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 21 75% | 3.96 (.69) |
| Networking to advance my career. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 27 96.4% | 4.46 (.58) |
| Submitting an SBIR/STTR proposal someday. | 0 | 1 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 9 32.1% | 3.29 (.53) |
If your interest in submitting an SBIR/STTR proposal someday was decreased or remained neutral, please check all that apply:
- I already have a different career/life plan I feel strongly about. 10 (35.7%)
- I have an “R” grant/other grant already. 0
- I don’t have an SBIR/STTR style business idea. 9 (32.1%)
- The SBIR/STTR funding success rate is too low for me to consider that path. 0
- I would start a different type of business. 3 (10.7%)
- I’m not interested in starting/running a business to get a grant. 4 (14.3%)
- Other 0
Beliefs Change
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| This experience increased my belief that women in the life sciences can successfully start businesses. | 0 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 23 82.1% | 4.04 (.84) |
How much did this experience change your beliefs about entrepreneurship?
| Much Less Belief | Less Belief | Neutral | More Belief | Much More Belief | N % Increased Belief | Average Score (SD) | |
| Starting a life science business is a viable career option. | 0 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 21 75% | 3.75 (.59) |
| Women life scientists can help each other improve the chance of succeeding in business ventures. | 0 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 22 78.6% | 4 (.67) |
| There is a lot of help available for women life scientists who choose to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 6 | 23 82.1% | 4.04 (.64) |
| Starting a life science business can be a rewarding career. | 0 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 22 78.6% | 3.93 (.60) |
| Working with mentors is important for life scientists starting a business. | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 23 82.1% | 4.18 (.73) |
Knowledge Change
Please rate your level of agreement with the statement: “This experience helped me understand more about….”
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average Score (SD) | |
| The basic process of setting up a business. | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 22 78.6% | 4.11 (.74) |
| The impact starting a business often has on one’s life. | 0 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 20 71.4% | 3.86 (.76) |
| The skills or professional help needed to successfully start a business. | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 9 | 25 89.3% | 4.21 (.63) |
| The importance of protecting intellectual property. | 0 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 22 78.6% | 4 (.77) |
| The topics included in a business plan. | 0 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 22 78.6% | 4.04 (.79) |
| The potential sources of funding for a new business. | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 23 82.1% | 4.21 (.74) |
| The process involved in obtaining grant money from the government to start a business based on innovative research. | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 22 78.6% | 4.11 (.74) |
| Life science entrepreneurship in general | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 26 92.8% | 4.21 (.57) |
Simulation, Other Content, and Overall Satisfaction Ratings
Summative Evaluation data May 12, 2023 to May 21, 2023
n=28
Simulation Ratings
Please answer the following questions regarding the simulation “Day in a Life” and the stories in “Steps to a Startup.”
| 1 – Not At All | 2 | Somewhat | 4 | 5 – Very Much | N % 4-5 | Average Score (SD) | |
| How captivating were the simulations and stories from the beginning? | 1 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 16 57.1% | 3.61 (.99) |
| How engaging were the simulations and stories overall? | 2 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 16 57.1% | 3.57 (1.07) |
| To what extent were the simulations and stories realistic enough? | 1 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 21 78.6% | 3.86 (1.01) |
Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements.
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average Score (SD) | |
| It was easy to learn how to play the simulations and stories. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 26 92.8% | 4.36 (.62) |
| The simulations and stories were easy to navigate. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 26 92.8% | 4.29 (.60) |
| The events in the simulations and stories could occur in the real world. | 0 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 9 | 22 78.6% | 4.07 (.81) |
| I gave my full attention to the simulations and stories. | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 22 78.6% | 4.14 (.76) |
| The simulations and stories were an effective way of conveying the subject matter. | 1 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 22 78.6% | 3.93 (1.09) |
Non-Simulation Content Ratings
Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the “Steps to a Startup” learning game:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average Score (SD) | |
| The Key Points and Tips in Steps to a Startup were interesting or useful. | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 27 96.4% | 4.14 (.59) |
| The Challenges in Steps to a Startup supported my learning more about entrepreneurship | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 25 89.3% | 4.25 (.65) |
I looked at at least one supplemental reading on this website (found via links to “Read More” or “Readings”)
Yes – 23
No – 5
If yes, please rate your level of agreement with:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| The supplemental readings (e.g. “Read More”) were interesting or useful. | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 20/23 87% | 3.96 (.47) |
I took at least one of the Self Check surveys.
Yes – 25
No – 3
If yes, please rate your level of agreement with:
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average (SD) | |
| The Self-Check surveys were helpful in understanding myself better regarding entrepreneurship. | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 21/25 84% | 4 (.87) |
Overall Satisfaction
Rate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the Biostartup Advice experience overall.
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | N % Agreement | Average Score (SD) | |
| What I experienced was interesting. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 26 92.8% | 4.14 (.52) |
| What I experienced was presented objectively. | 1 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 6 | 22 78.6% | 3.86 (.93) |
| BioStartup.Advice.com succeeded in inspiring women scientists to consider starting a business. | 0 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 8 | 23 82.1% | 4.11 (.69) |
| What I experienced will affect my career positively. | 0 | 0 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 19 67.8% | 3.79 (.63) |
| Working through BioStartupAdvice.com was stressful. | 10 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 7.1%* | 1.82 (.82) |
| I would refer BioStartupAdvice.com to women life scientists who are interested in business. | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 26 92.8% | 4.39 (.74) |
| Overall, this was a useful experience. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 8 | 25 89.3% | 4.14 (.71) |
*Note that a low score for the experience being stressful is a good result.
Summative Evaluation Follow-Up data
N=22
2 weeks after intervention
Participants were invited to answer a 5 minute online questionnaire 2 weeks after completing the Biostartup.com experience and were compensated with a $15 gift card. A majority (22, 78.6%) of the 28 group 22 participants completed the follow-up survey. Questions covered what they learned, how much the experience changed them, and the status of their entrepreneurial confidence after completing the experience.
What You Learned
Question: “Now that at least 2 weeks has passed since completing BioStartupAdvice.com’s study, please rate your agreement with the following statements about what you learned. I learned
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | % Agreement | Average Score (SD) | |
| Something useful about communication skills. | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 13 59.1% | 3.45 (.74) |
| Something useful about mentorship. | 0 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 63.6% | 3.59 (.59) |
| Something useful about networking. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 21 95.5% | 4.23 (.53) |
| Something about resources for women in the life sciences that would be helpful if I wanted to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 21 95.5% | 4.32 (.57) |
| Something about SBIR funding that would help in writing a proposal if I wanted to do that. | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 18 81.8% | 4.09 (.68) |
How Much Did You Change After Experiencing Biostartup Advice?
“Please rate your agreement with the following statements about changes as a result of completing the BioStartupAdvice study in comparison to before you started it.
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | % Agreement | Average Score | |
| This changed how I think about entrepreneurship options for women in life sciences. | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 15 68.2% | 3.77 .87) |
| I am more likely to consider working in a small business in the life sciences. | 1 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 6 27.3% | 3.27 (.77) |
| I am more likely to start a business, on my own or with others, someday. | 1 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 4 18.2% | 3.23 (.81) |
| I am more confident I could succeed if I wanted to start a business. | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 14 63.6% | 3.77 (.68) |
Your Current Entrepreneurial Confidence and Opinion on the Future Usefulness of Biostartup Advice
“Please rate your current level of agreement with the following statements:”
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | % Agreement | Average Score | |
| I am confident I could find the information I need if I decide to start a life science business. | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 20 90.9% | 4.23 (.61) |
| I am confident I could find the support I need if I decide to start a life science business. | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 19 86.3% | 4.09 (.61) |
| If I decided to start a life science business, I would return to BioStartupAdvice for the website’s readings. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 19 86.3% | 4.27 (.83) |
| If I decided to start a life science business, I would return to BioStartupAdvice for the lists of recommended external resources. | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 18 81.8% | 4.18 (.85) |
| There are resources for women in life sciences that I could use if I started a business. | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 20 90.9% | 4.18 (.73) |
Open-ended Question
“Please use this space if you would like to elaborate on your answers to the survey. Only 2 (9.1%) follow-up survey participants responded and the remaining 20 responded “None.”
- “I am much clearer now about how to start business related to biomedical research.”
- Would BioStartupAdvice be free forever? If so, I would absolutely return for the resources.
Qualitative Data: Thematic Analysis of Comments
Group 2 only, also excludes those whose data was discarded for going too fast or skipping a simulation, and those who did not answer “female” to the gender question.
The full data, including Group 1 (Pilot 2) data, can be seen in the document, BELSsummQualitativeDataAnalysisStep3Final.
A majority of participants in Group 2 made at least one comment (76%) and the other 24% marked “None” in all 4 required comment fields. Group 2 had fewer negative comments than Group 1. S1, S2, S3, S4 at the end of a quotation refers to the survey page where the comment was made: S1=Self efficacy/Intent Change; S2= Interest/Beliefs/Knowledge Change; S3=Simulations Evaluation; S4= Other Content Evaluation/Overall Satisfaction. Where a participant made a similar comment more than once, they were combined. Where a participant commented on more than one category in the same text box, comments were divided by category.
I. General
A. Liked Biostartupadvice in General
Three comments were about liking Biostartupadvice in general:
- There was a lot of very useful information in these modules! I think they could really benefit someone who wanted to start a business. S1
- Definitely worth saving the material and sharing with other women scientists. S4
- Good work with this website! S4
Four comments were about specific aspects of Biostartupadvice.com
- I liked… the multiple ways you could take in that info. S1
- Next time i am at a conference I will look forward to networking with industry S1
- I certainly think this website is a useful resource. As someone less interested in starting up my own business, I still found the available resources to be intriguing, especially regarding communication and networking, which are relevant to almost any career. S4
B. Disliked Biostartupadvice in General
None
Content
A. Liked Content
Six participants like the content in general:
- The modules are designed very well for women scientists who has no knowledge or limited knowledge about starting their own business. Links and resources very useful. S1
- It helps me to know things about starting a biotech business, which I had no ideas before. S1
- I liked all of the content on the website especially the helpful links and articles. S1
- I really liked the wealth of information available both on the website and through the simulations. There was no shortage of readings, articles, case studies, and opportunities to hear questions to a variety of answers. I really appreciated how much research went into the creation of this site. I also appreciated how many stories of women life scientists were shared–it made the idea that I could start-up a business feel more possible. S1
- I think this is all good information. S1
- I liked the information that was presented. S1 I liked the breadth of things covered. S2
Nine participants liked specific simulation content:
1. Characters and stories:
- I liked examples of women in different fields starting with business! S1
- Good to see that the characters in simulations have similar backgrounds as I do. S3
- I liked that this simulation had fictional examples of businesses and multiple variations of experiences. S1
- Exploring individuals at different stages of starting a business was really insightful, because it provided perspective on what each person will need to achieve the next step in starting a business. S1
- I like the case examples on bio startup website, which help me to think about the chance for young scientists to start the business. S1
- I liked the real-life scenarios being created through the simulations. S1
- I enjoyed the conversations that the simulation presented, [and different people] each with their unique stories/backgrounds/careers. S3
2. Read more links or resources:
- I liked the resources presented in this study S2 [Note by “resources”, they probably mean the many links to “Read More” on our webpages. Almost no external links were presented in the simulations]
3. Concrete steps in Steps to a Startup:
- I liked how concrete steps were provided to help those who want to start their own business. S2
B. Disliked Content or Constructive Criticism
Five participants made specific suggestions for content improvement.
- I am currently a scientist working for a startup and I only have a Masters in Biomedical Science (not a PhD) and I felt all of the example scientists have PhDs, I am unsure if this means that a PhD is a requirement for starting a business or if experience, networking and ideas are more important. S1
- More ideas on funding can be provided. S2
- I would say that while the facts were presented objectively (i.e., SBIR grants, funding opportunites, etc.), the program seemed to really push the “family like atmosphere” and how great it is to work at a start up company. My partner worked at a failed start up that had a “family like atmosphere” — it was not a good experience for them. I think it’s just as important to talk about the hardships associated with starting a business and the ways it could fail. S3
Response: Our earlier studies found participants criticized the content for not including this and for being too negative. We do mention at least 3 conflicts in the stories of Steps to a Startup. - I thought the self-check survey I took was not helpful. It seemed like no matter how I ranked my perceived skills I would have received the same advice (learn more about the things you don’t know, etc.) rather than “if you’re good at A and not B, here’s a specific course of action to take to utilize the skills of A to improve your skills at B.” S4
Response – We added links in this self-check feedback to specific internal pages to grow skills, with different links for business vs. financial. - The conversations weren’t too realistic as not many people are trying to start businesses in the same lab. In real life, one person would usually give you a lot of information instead of having to go to 8 people to get information. S3
Design/format
A. Liked Design/format
Six comments were about liking the simulations:
- The simulations were a nice way to provide information that could be boring to read otherwise. S1
- I think the simulation made the content more approachable, as this information would be hard to understand without hearing someone’s personal experience. S3
- I was surprised by how well I retained information from the simulations. S3
- I really liked the simulation style, as well as the multitude of different people that we could talk to, It made the simulation feel a bit more “real.” It was also quite easy to navigate. S3
- The simulations were an interesting way to learn and experience the world of business S3
- The simulations were much more effective than simply reading informational material since it kept me engaged. S3
Three participants commented about liking specific non-simulation format/design:
- Two participants liked the Challenges in Steps to a Startup:
- A Challenge in Steps to a Startup: I found the most helpful activity to be the one where we were asked to rate a product idea and were shown what the experts would have said about that same product. S1
- I enjoyed the challenges during the “Steps to a Startup” simulation. S3
- One person liked both the Self-check and the Read More’s/Resources: I liked the questionnaire [self-check] and all the resources mentioned. S1
B. Disliked Design or Offered Constructive Criticism
Three participants disliked the simulation/story format. One specifically said the website was more helpful.
- Using a simulation does not help me want to start a business. The website was more helpful. S1
- I found these [simulation/stories] dull and monotonous. The simulations and game combined were a bit dull/slow. I’m not sure if that sort of format was necessary to effectively convey the information. I think the information could have been effectively conveyed in a different format. S3
- I think that it was too much effort to get information I could just read in a blog post or an article or a power point or something. S3
Three participants disliked particular aspects of the simulations or stories.
- Lab Equipment interaction: I don’t think clicking through the items in a lab served any purpose to what I got out of the simulation. S1
- Character appearance: The models in the games and situations fell into the uncanny valley for me S1
- I knew some of this beforehand but did not see some of the topics mentioned in the last question regarding what this helped me understand more about… that is why I put disagree. S2 Response: We made further changes to make it more obvious how to see the index view and to make it available on the 1st page.
Six participants described specific changes/additions they would like:
- 3 participants wanted audio to hear characters’ voices:
- [It would be better] If the characters had some voiceover. S1
- I think the simulations may have been more engaging with voice acting. S1
- If there was a voice to each character or audio guidance, it would have been even more interactive and engaging. It could also expedite the speed to go through each modules. S3
- The stimulation could have been a bit more interactive. S1
- I only wish there was some way I could engage a bit more actively with the characters by writing out my own questions/responses, though I know that could be more difficult to engineer. The only option I found for this is to send an email to the organization. S1 S3
- I would like to send the links to other women. S4
Explaining a Response
Two participants gave explanations for a specific low rating in the survey. We later added a separate field for that purpose.
- I would think about starting a business but not necessarily a lab science focused one. S1
- I already have strong belief that women in science can do anything they want to, including starting briskness if they choose to. S2 (The question asked about change)
