The effects of previous mathematics, statistics, and computer science coursework; attitudes toward statistics and computers; and mathematics ability on statistics achievement were studied for 289 college students over 4 semesters. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine the effect of the computer laboratory component of an inferential…

This study assessed whether providing examinees with a choice between computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and self-adaptive testing (SAT) affects test performance in comparison with being assigned a CAT or SAT, and evaluated variables influencing examinee choice of either test form. The relative influences of test type and test choice on examinee…

This study investigated the relationship of several affective variables as predictors of academic performance in mathematics. The predictor variables studied were: (1) attitude toward success in mathematics; (2) confidence in learning mathematics; (3) perceptions of teacher attitude; (4) mathematics anxiety; and (5) locus of control. The sample of…

A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the effect of teachers and achievement on the students valuing of mathematics. A total of 1,301 students and the teachers they had for mathematics before and after transition to junior high school were involved in the study. It was found that when students move from elementary teachers they percieve…

Funded by the Women's Educational Equity Act Programs, the Minneapolis Public Schools Indian Education Section on October 1, 1981, began a study to assess the present level of enrollment and performance of Minnesota Indian girls in junior and senior high school mathematics courses. Procedures in conducting the study included: identifying 7 to 10…

Many studies have cited the debilitating effect of math-related anxiety on achievement and vocational choice. To investigate the efficacy of cognitive behavior modification in the treatment of mathematics anxiety, 44 subjects were recruited from a high school and 2 colleges. The students were divided into two groups, a cognitive behavior…

This study shows that generally-held sexist attitudes may be partially responsible for the imbalance between girls and boys at the tertiary level in mathematics. In the first chapter, six criteria are listed for checking to see whether there is sexism. Chapter two reviews selected literature where research findings indicate that girls tend to…

This study investigated whether attitudes towards mathematics as exhibited by a group of preservice elementary teachers could be improved through remedial mathematics instruction. Previous studies have shown mathematics anxiety to be widespread among elementary school teachers, a population that is predominately female. Alleviating mathematics…

Presented is a discussion on the negative attitudes of elementary school teachers toward mathematics and some of the research done in this area. Results of an attitudinal questionnaire, given to 120 perspective elementary teachers, are also presented. Fifty-three females and 8 males responded that they liked mathematics, while 55 females and 4…

Findings from several research projects on the use of computer technology are reported which point to patterns of difference between boys and girls in education settings. Argues that sex differences emerge in relation to functions computers serve and organization of learning settings. (Author/SA)

The conception of mathematics anxiety held by a teacher may have a great deal to do with the way in which mathematics is characterized in classroom teaching. The purpose of this study is to determine if fourth-grade students' mathematics anxiety can be decreased by a change in implementing new instructional strategies. The study employed a…

The Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MAS) was subjected to exploratory factor analysis in 1,047 students (including college undergraduates, high school students, and middle school students). Factor structures were similar for males and females. Recommends the MAS be used in conjunction with other measures that assess students' feelings and beliefs with…

Confirmatory factor analysis of data from a portion of a long-term study provided evidence for two components of math anxiety for 298 male and 266 female 6th through 12th graders. The components related to negative affective reactions and cognitive aspects. Age and gender differences were significant. (TJH)

Reports a correlational study to determine whether teacher's mathematics anxiety might inhibit the introduction of more problem solving and abstraction in elementary schools to enable more ninth graders to enroll in algebra. Correlations on 19 variables for 116 teachers indicated that anxiety decreased with increased mathematics content studied…

This study explored differences between students studying introductory statistics in a strictly lecture type setting against those in an environment where the lectures are driven by computer software. A 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire was developed covering the main concepts of a first course in statistics. Included were questions on the…