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Journal of Baltic Science EducationVolume 21, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 638-650

UNDERGRADUATE STEM AND NON-STEM STUDENTS’ INTERPRETATION OF MEAN IN AN INFOGRAPHIC(Article)(Open Access)

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  • aFaculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
  • bFaculty of Technical Sciences at the University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 6, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
  • cKent State University at Stark, Ohio, 6000 Frank Avenue NW, North Canton, OH 44720, United States

Abstract

The use of infographics for presenting data in the media and on the Internet has become a widespread phenomenon. This study examines how well undergraduates interpret the mean when presented in infographic, their attitudes towards the misuse of statistics, and their perceptions of their knowledge and use of statistics. The infographic was intended for the general public. The questionnaire was developed in a pilot study and then it was presented to a sample of 270 students from universities in Serbia and the USA. The study showed that STEM undergraduates and those who attended a course in statistics interpreted the infographic better. However, between 46% and 65% of those misinterpreted the infographic which indicates that changes are needed in statistics education to improve statistical literacy. Concerning demographic characteristics, somewhat better results were achieved by the American students, while gender had weak significance. Students whose interpretations were more successful perceived their knowledge and use of statistics as better. An extremely low number of students, 7.5%, disagreed that statistics is often misused, while only 14.2% trusted the research results presented in the media. The results from this study can be useful for curriculum developers, teachers, and researchers on statistical education. © 2022, Scientia Socialis Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author keywords

infographicsmean interpretationnon-STEM studentsstatistical literacySTEM studentsstudents’ attitudes
  • ISSN: 16483898
  • Source Type: Journal
  • Original language: English
  • DOI: 10.33225/jbse/22.21.638
  • Document Type: Article
  • Publisher: Scientia Socialis Ltd

  Kaplar, M.; Faculty of Technical Sciences at the University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 6, Novi Sad, Serbia;
© Copyright 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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