ERIC Number: EJ839965
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-May
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1570-1824
EISSN: N/A
Use of External Visual Representations in Probability Problem Solving
Corter, James E.; Zahner, Doris C.
Statistics Education Research Journal, v6 n1 p22-50 May 2007
We investigate the use of external visual representations in probability problem solving. Twenty-six students enrolled in an introductory statistics course for social sciences graduate students (post-baccalaureate) solved eight probability problems in a structured interview format. Results show that students spontaneously use self-generated external visual representations while solving probability problems. The types of visual representations used include: reorganization of the given information, pictures, novel schematic representations, trees, outcome listings, contingency tables, and Venn diagrams. The frequency of use of each of these different external visual representations depended on the type of probability problem being solved. We interpret these findings as showing that problem solvers attempt to select representations appropriate to the problem structure, and that the appropriateness of the representation is determined by the problem's underlying schema. (Contains 5 figures and 9 tables.)
Descriptors: Graduate Students, Social Sciences, Problem Solving, Statistics, Probability, Mathematics Instruction, Educational Research, Visual Aids, Visualization
International Association for Statistics Education and the International Statistical Institute. PO Box 24070, 2490 AB The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: +31-70-3375737; Fax: +31-70-3860025; e-mail: isi@cbs.nl; Web site: http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/serj
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A