ERIC Number: EJ1314804
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0258-2236
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Available Date: N/A
Determining the Needs of Introductory Statistics University Students: A Qualitative Survey Study
Perspectives in Education, v39 n3 p197-213 2021
Since we are entering the fourth industrial revolution, it becomes increasingly important that students, irrespective of their field of study, are data literate. However, many students view their mandatory statistics modules with contempt. This qualitative study analysed students' comments to determine what their needs are to improve these modules to increase the students' enjoyment and improve their performance in statistics. Monte Carlo simulations were used to scientifically justify that data saturation was attained by the survey study. This is an objective reproducible method to determine if a sample size is large enough to ensure that important themes are not missed. It is clear from the students' responses that they do not enjoy being taught in the same way students were taught statistics years ago. Statistics education needs to change to keep up with changing times and the needs of the new generation. The comments of the students touched on similar topics that are being addressed internationally regarding the instruction and assessment of statistics students; therefore, it will be sensible to implement these recommendations in future.
Descriptors: Introductory Courses, Statistics Education, Undergraduate Students, Student Satisfaction, Student Needs, Instructional Effectiveness, Active Learning, Relevance (Education), Performance Factors, Foreign Countries
University of the Free State Faculty of Education. P.O. Box 339, Bioemfontein 9300, South Africa. Tel: +27-51-401-2368; e-mail: PiE@ufs.ac.za; Web site: http://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/pie/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
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