Development and Assessment of Survey of Statistical Inquiry Processes for University Students

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the actual conditions of university students regarding the statistical inquiry process. To achieve this, we developed a survey and questionnaire focusing on the PPDAC cycle of the statistical inquiry process. We then conducted the survey with university students. The results suggested that university students found it difficult to answer questions related to “Information Ethics” and “Data Collection” correctly. However, questions related to “Plan,” such as selecting and grouping variables, were relatively easier for the university students in this study to answer correctly. Additionally, it was suggested that university students generally have little experience with the statistical inquiry process and a low perception of being proficient in it. Furthermore, the results of the correlation analysis between the comprehension survey and the questionnaire survey suggested that the correct response rate for the expression methods in the “Plan” phase was related to students’ self-perceived proficiency in representing data using statistical graphs, analyzing data using statistical methods, and interpreting graphed data.