Teachers' Attitudes toward Statistics

Abstract

Wise's 1985 Attitude Toward Statistics scale was used to obtain normative data for 222 teachers enrolled in graduate classes in statistics and research methods. Comparisons with norms from other studies in which the scale was used indicated that these teachers had less positive attitudes toward the field of statistics and the course than did graduate students in psychology. In addition, the teachers had less positive attitudes toward the field of statistics than did undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines. These differences in attitudes ranged from .55 to .87 standard deviations, indicating moderate to large effect sizes. Recommendations for research include replicating the study.