FACTORS THAT AFFECT LEARNING TOWARDS STATISTICS ACCORDING TO MASTER OF ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

Statistics is seen by many students as a necessary evil, an obstacle to obtain the so desired diploma. Previous research show that much of the challenge of teaching and learning statistics is explained by the attitudes that students have about the subject. In Brazil, however, there are no studies to ratify such findings. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the antecedents of interest and anxiety of students regarded to statistics, from the model proposed by Mondejar-Jiménez and Vargas-Vargas (2010). Also included is the construct of self-efficacy, which is the beliefs that an individual has on his or her ability to perform a particular behavior. The importance of self-efficacy is the fact that it can affect the interest and anxiety the student has on statistic. Following a quantitative approach, data were collected from 120 management students from seven higher education institutions in southern Brazil. The analysis done with Structural Equation Modeling show that the perception of the statistical utility for studies and for the profession and self-efficacy affect the interest and anxiety of the student. Finally, we discuss these findings and suggest tactics on how to make the process of teaching and learning more effective.

Statistics; Attitude; Interest; Anxiety; Utility; Self-efficacy