The Analysis of Data Distributions Presented in The Indonesian and English College Textbooks Based on Statistical Cognition and Meanings of Data

Abstract

A statistics textbook should provide an opportunity for students to acquire skills in statistical cognition which involve statistical basic knowledge, reasoning and thinking. The meaning of data, on the other hand, is crucial for presenting the cognition. This study analyzed topic of data distributions presented in the English and Indonesian college statistics textbooks. While the Indonesian version heavily emphasizes on the basic knowledge related to procedures, the English version, variously elaborates each content with basic knowledge or reasoning. Data as numerical numbers are presented for showing procedures in both versions of textbooks. More diverse meaning of data, however, was found in the English version, including data as numbers with meaningful contexts to represent problems, and as information to be evaluated or criticized using reasoning and thinking.