Assessing Statistical Literacy Level of Postgraduate Education Research Students in Malaysian Research Universities

Abstract

Statistical literacy is an essential component of research literacy demanded for the research students to master as they are required to read, comprehend, and evaluate research articles. Misinterpretations of data and research findings are among the unfavorable results in the lack of research literacy. Consequently, it will affect the quality of their research and eventually leads to ripple impact on other researchers. However, this study is still under researched especially among postgraduate research students. Therefore, this paper examined statistical literacy level among postgraduate research students. This study was a survey conducted with a sample of 236 education postgraduate research students by using a set of statistical literacy items. The data were analysed using Rasch Analysis approach which includes item and person measures. Findings suggested that postgraduate students‘ statistical literacy level is at Moderate Low level. The findings also revealed that the hardest items to be answered by the students are related to hypothesis testing (significant value). In order for students to improve their statistical literacy, this study suggested that the instructors and institutions to reexamine and to explore new methods of teaching and learning statistics.

Determining the psychometric properties of middle school statistical thinking testlet-based assessment tool

“…However, past research has shown that the majority of students from primary school to tertiary level have misunderstandings and difficulties to acquire numerous statistical concepts and skills. These include statistical graph complexity and reading (Arteage et al, 2015), interpretation of box plots (Pierce & Chick, 2013), data representation (Chick & Pierce, 2012;Saidi & Siew, 2019;Ibnatul et al, 2021;Subanji et al, 2021), and descriptive statistics (Chan, et al, 2013), variability (delMas & Liu, 2005Matthew & Clark, 2007), distribution (Lee & Meletiou-Mavrothesis, 2003), measures of central tendency (Cooper & Shore, 2008;Olani et al, 2011). Malaysian form four students tend to have inferior statistical reasoning abilities, claimed Chan and Zaleha (2014), Krishnan and Noraini (2014).…”

Analyzing students’ statistical literacy skills based on gender, grade, and educational field

“…Studies examining the effect of gender on statistical literacy are relatively rare [14]. Previous study [15] found that both male and female participants' statistical literacy levels were still low even though they were postgraduate students. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in literacy skills by gender [16].…”