Statistiktage 2007 - Kongress der Österreichischen Statistischen Gesellschaft ÖSG
Sprache des Tagungstitel:
Deutsch
Original Kurzfassung:
This research shows that most of the students have serious difficulties in interpreting "statistical" diagrams and also problems in very basic mathematics. Especially interpreting diagrams is very important in professional and daily life. Therefore we have to focus not only on technical skills in statistics, but also in understanding and correct interpreting of results and diagrams.
The data were collected from students of economics and social science at the University of Linz, Austria, in March 2001, March 2003, March 2005 and March 2007. The samples were no random selections, the students were chosen, because they took part in basic courses in statistics. This course is obligatory for all students of economics, business and social sciences. The questionnaire contained eleven questions dealing with mathematics or statistics, most of them were multiple choice questions with six different possibilities of response. The topics were interpretation and calculation (without calculator) of percentages and fractions, interpretation of graphics and (rough) estimation of square roots and percentages.
The results at university were not very glorious. Even majority is not always right, as shown in some examples. The results were checked on differences between male and female students and on further details.
Forschungs-