The loss of intuition - A lesson for the school teacher?

Although there is a long tradition of research into concepts and intuitions regarding randomness and probability, few studies have been undertaken amongst United Kingdom university students. Thus the research done at Brunel University over the period 1984 to 1987 using a self-completion questionnaire to investigate the intuitive ideas concerning probability held by first year undergraduates was partly exploratory in nature. This paper presents the intuitive ideas about probability held by first year undergraduates studying mathematics or other scientific subjects.