Table 3 Paired-samples t-test comparison by gender of students’ understanding of and interest in digital forensic science and related careers based on retrospective pre-post survey questions

Female (n = 63)

I am interested in computer science topics

 + 0.317

0.839

0.004

0.38

Small

I am interested in digital forensics topics

 + 0.508

0.840

 < 0.001

0.60

Moderate

I am interested in using digital forensic applications to solve problems

 + 0.571

0.875

 < 0.001

0.65

Moderate

I am confident I can explain something about digital forensics to a family member or friend

 + 1.302

0.994

 < 0.001

1.31

Large

Digital forensics relates to what I experience in the real world

 + 0.746

0.822

 < 0.001

0.91

Large

I would like to learn more about careers in computer science like digital forensics and cybersecurity

 + 0.587

0.835

 < 0.001

0.70

Moderate

Males (n = 75)

I am interested in computer science topics

 + 0.400

0.771

 < 0.001

0.52

Moderate

I am interested in digital forensics topics

 + 0.520

0.964

 < 0.001

0.54

Moderate

I am interested in using digital forensic applications to solve problems

 + 0.720

1.085

 < 0.001

0.66

Moderate

I am confident I can explain something about digital forensics to a family member or friend

 + 1.080

1.037

 < 0.001

1.04

Large

Digital forensics relates to what I experience in the real world

 + 0.800

0.986

 < 0.001

0.81

Large

I would like to learn more about careers in computer science like digital forensics and cybersecurity

 + 0.387

0.899

 < 0.001

0.43

Small