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Activity Number:
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563
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Type:
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Contributed
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Date/Time:
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Thursday, August 6, 2009 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Statistical Education
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| Abstract - #304978 |
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Title:
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Developmental Trajectories of Health Science Students' Statistics Reasoning and Mastery
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Author(s):
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Ralph M. Turner*+
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Companies:
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University of the Sciences
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Address:
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600 S. 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104,
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Keywords:
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Developmental ; Education ; Health
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Abstract:
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Developing a deep comprehension of statistical concepts for health sciences students is complicated and should not be underestimated. It takes more time than typically provided and a well thought out sequence of learning activities. Deep comprehension and reasoning about statistical concepts can be developed given enough time and repetition. This study followed 70 health science students over a four course sequence in statistics. A logistic function provided the best fit for the growth curves for increases in ability to understand journal article results sections, detect errors in reporting, plan correct analyses for complex design problems, and specify analysis assumptions. Greatest gains were achieved during the third course and stabilized in the fourth course. Advances in statistics education will be made when the developmental nature of the learning process is accommodated.
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