Title
Evaluating attitudes, skill, and performance in a learning-enhanced quantitative methods course: A structural modeling approach
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
12-1-2002
Abstract
Whereas statistics teachers approach their topic with enthusiasm, students often feel trepidation (e.g., Dauphinee, Schau,& Stevens, 1997). Engaging pedagogy is needed to improve attitudes and performance, thereby increasing interest in quantitative methods. We evaluated relations among attitudes, initial skill, and performance in a Quantitative Methods course that involved students in active learning using a structural modeling approach. Results from data on 129 New England undergraduates largely confirmed hypotheses. First, the means for 2 of 3 quantitative attitudes showed significant improvement over the semester, with reduced quantitative anxiety and increased quantitative self-efficacy. Second, previous math ability and positive quantitative attitudes significantly predicted 38% of the variance in course performance. Third, 75% of the variance in postcourse quantitative attitudes was significantly associated with precourse quantitative attitudes, whereas precourse quantitative skill was not a significant predictor. Fourth, 18% of the variance in course experience ratings was significantly predicted by initial quantitative attitudes such that those with low confidence, high anxiety, or perceived hindrances rated learning activities more favorably. Limitations are discussed and follow-up research is suggested. © 2003, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Structural Equation Modeling
Volume
9
Issue
3
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Harlow, Lisa L., Gary J. Burkholder, and Jennifer A. Morrow. "Evaluating attitudes, skill, and performance in a learning-enhanced quantitative methods course: A structural modeling approach." Structural Equation Modeling 9, 3 (2002): 413-430. doi: 10.1207/S15328007SEM0903_6.