ERIC Number: EJ996040
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1570-1824
EISSN: N/A
Students' Attitudes toward Statistics across the Disciplines: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Griffith, James D.; Adams, Lea T.; Gu, Lucy L.; Hart, Christian L.; Nichols-Whitehead, Penney
Statistics Education Research Journal, v11 n2 p45-56 Nov 2012
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. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Majors (Students), Student Attitudes, Statistics, College Mathematics, Negative Attitudes, Positive Attitudes, Mixed Methods Research, Business Administration Education, Psychology, Criminology
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

Peer reviewed
Direct link
