RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
Statistical Literacy of College Students in a Simulation-Based Introductory Statistics Course
Page: 1406
The news media is the primary source of information about social and scientific issues for most adults (Bissonnette et al., 2021). Statistical and mathematical products in the news take on many forms, requiring inter-related skills to appropriately comprehend and evaluate (Gal & Geiger, 2022). The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to investigate how students in an introductory statistics course utilizing a simulation-based curriculum apply statistical concepts when critiquing statistics in the news media. Task-based interviews involving mock news headlines and accompanying articles were used to examine students’ thinking using Watson and Callingham’s (2003) six-level construct of statistical literacy. Ongoing analysis includes identification of themes in students’ responses. Ideas for future research directions, adjustments to tasks, and pedagogical recommendations will be discussed.