Writing Assignments on Statistics Classes Encourage Students to Learn Interpretation


Authors: 
Beins, B. C.
Category: 
Volume: 
20(3)
Pages: 
161-164
Year: 
1993
Publisher: 
Teaching of Psychology
Abstract: 

Students in four statistics classes received different amounts of guidance and instruction in interpretive skills. Students who wrote press releases free of statistical jargon acquired better computational and interpretive skills than did students in a traditional class. Emphasis on interpretation was not associated with greater conceptual knowledge. Writing assignments appear to focus students' attention on the context and rationale for the statistics. This technique can also be used in other courses.

The CAUSE Research Group is supported in part by a member initiative grant from the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics and Data Science Education

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