The purpose of this study was to address issues related to the kind and degree of relationship between mathematical achievement and attitude toward mathematics. Data were gathered on a number of attitudes from 145 college students in a basic mathematics course. Attitudinal data were gathered by means of a six-page questionnaire, essay questions,…

In an attempt to explore the prevalence, intensity and effects of mathematics anxiety at Salisbury State College (Maryland) approximately 350 student volunteers from two diverse introductory mathematics courses participated in this survey. The Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Anxiety and Confidence Scales and a portion of the Test Anxiety Profile were…

The factorial validity of four of the nine Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales (FSMASs) was examined for use in measuring fifth graders' interaction with a subject. The following four scales were assessed: (1) the Confidence in Learning Mathematics Scale; (2) the Attitude Toward Success in Mathematics Scale (ATSMS); (3) the Mathematics…

This study was designed to develop and validate an instrument to measure general attitudes toward research design and statistics for use with students in an undergraduate nursing research course. Personal feelings of anxiety or lack of competence in dealing with course material were also assessed. Evidence of construct validity was provided by the…

The reasons that cause women to take significantly fewer mathematics courses than men are investigated. The subjects consisted of 377 female college freshmen enrolled at a small, private women's liberal arts college in the Midwest. All subjects were tested as part of the college's regular placement testing program prior to the Fall semester of the…

Several surveys of students enrolled in elementary school mathematics methods courses provided the background for a pilot study of attitudes on teaching elementary mathematics. In a discussion of the literature on the subject, the importance of teachers' attitudes and their influence on children's attitudes is stressed. Two exploratory studies of…

College students may be influenced by a variety of factors when choosing a major. Mathematics anxiety has received substantial attention, but has not been considered as a factor in choice of college major. The relationship between mathematics anxiety and the academic majors chosen by new freshmen prior to enrollment was investigated for a group of…

This study used the Second IEA Mathematics Study data to examine which of the 10 measured attitude dimensions were pertinent in explaining mathematics achievement variance of Form One students in Hong Kong. Correlational and commonality analysis revealed several of the attitude dimensions contributed to the explained achievement variance.…

Describes a study of the use of certain curriculum materials (SMP 11-16) with a third-year class of low attainers in mathematics. The study involved classroom observation and a student questionnaire. It was concluded that the materials were at least partially successful. (PK)

Describes a remedial college course in intermediate algebra designed to improve student success rate. Suggests that the course was easy and inexpensive to implement and required a minimum of reorganization. (PK)

Investigated women's (N=35) aptitude for and changes in skills during an engineering training program and the relationship between academic/demographic information and cognitive skills to success in the program. Compares results with those of studies of male undergraduates. Includes results of mathematics anxiety and conservation of horizontality…

This study examined teacher leadership behavior in the high school mathematics classroom according to Kouzes and Posner's conceptual framework of credible, exemplary leadership. Data were gathered from 13 mathematics teachers, and 445 high school mathematics students from two suburban high schools. This study found that students did not perceive…

Investigated superiority of instructional strategies (factor-label method, proportionality, use of analogies, use of diagrams) in teaching problem-solving related to mole concept, gas laws, stoichiometry, and molarity. Also investigated effectiveness of strategies for students (N=609) with different verbal-visual preferences, proportional…

Describes an evaluation of the mathematical skills and learning capabilities of students immediately prior to taking Open University foundation courses in technology, the design of questionnaires used in the surveys, and strategies for designing instructional materials for students with a weak preparation in mathematics and technology. (EAO)

Describes the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents (MARS-A). Discusses psychometric data that relate to reliability and construct validity of the MARS-A scale. Results showed the association between high mathematics anxiety scale scores and low grade average in mathematics courses reported on two samples of students. (Author/JAC)