STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD STATISTICS ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES: A MIXED-METHODS APPROACH

Authors

  • JAMES D. GRIFFITH Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  • LEA T. ADAMS Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  • LUCY L. GU Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  • CHRISTIAN L. HART Texas Woman’s University
  • PENNEY NICHOLS-WHITEHEAD Grand Valley State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52041/serj.v11i2.328

Keywords:

Statistics education research, Statistics attitudes, Fear of statistics

Abstract

Students’ attitudes toward statistics were investigated using a mixed-methods approach including a discovery-oriented qualitative methodology among 684 undergraduate students across business, criminal justice, and psychology majors where at least one course in statistics was required. Students were asked about their attitudes toward statistics and the reasons for their attitudes. Five categories resulted for those with positive and negative attitudes and were separated on the basis of discipline. Approximately 63% of students indicated a positive attitude toward statistics. Business majors were most positive and were more likely to believe statistics would be used in their future career. Multiple methodological approaches have now provided data on the various domains of attitudes toward statistics and those implications are discussed.

First published November 2012 at Statistics Education Research Journal: Archives

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Published

2012-11-30