Between lists and tables: In what ways do sixth- and seventh-grade students represent quantitative data? / Entre listas y tablas: ¿De qué maneras representan información cuantitativa los estudiantes de sexto y séptimo grado?

Abstract

The ability to interpret, construct, use and communicate statistical information is crucial for contemporary social life. This study investigates how sixth- and seventh-grade students represent primary statistical data, through prompt explicitly requests to construct a contingency table. The aims were: (a) to identify types and levels of format productions; (b) to explore whether: (a) they vary according to: (1) the explicitness of the conventional format assumed by a double-entry table; (2) the presence of an intermediary system (bar graph). Participants were 110 students (sixth = 57; seventh = 53) from a public school in a city near Rosario (Santa Fe, Argentina). The average age was 11.85 years (SD = .60, Min = 10.65, Max = 12.81). Most students produced lists rather than tables, regardless of the grade level. However, among the lists, those grouped according to height intervals predominated, suggesting some adherence to the task instructions. Variables (1) and (2) generated minor variations. The results corroborate that students prefer organizing a dataset using alternative formats such as lists or graphs, as opposed to tables. That is discussed considering levels of statistical literacy and transnumerative techniques.