Regions: South Slave Region
Tags: social sciences, education, adult education, aurora college, psychology
| Principal Investigator: | Labrentz, Arnold (2) |
| Licence Number: | 12955 |
| Organization: | University of Alberta |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2000
1998
|
| Issued: | Apr 07, 1998 |
| Project Team: | self |
Objective(s): This study is an exploratory qualitative investigation of reasons for negative attitudes toward mathematics by College adults. Screening and selection of subjects will be by two-phase written questionnaires. Assessment of math ability and degree of learned helplessness (self-handicapping) will be by professional/commerical test. Six subjects will be interviewed in depth and the transcripts analyzed in a search for causal factors. Depending on the findings, a remedial program will be suggested and made available.
Project Description: This research project involves examining negative attitudes towards mathematics. Data collection will be by questionnaire and videotaped interview. A series of questionnaires will be given to a number of students to assess their level of math anxiety. Those identified as being math anxious will be asked to participate in a more in-depth interview. All participation is voluntary and all information will be kept confidential using code numbers for all materials. The questionnaires to be used include: 1) 13 items on feelings about mathematics (Reily, Labre); 2) the MARS (math anxiety rating scale) (Suinn, R.); 3) the CAST math test will be used which is a commercial math test approved by Aurora College for placement purposes and 4) the ASQ (attributional style questionnaire) by Dr. Seligman and associates (University of Pennsylvania). Depending on the findings, a remedial program will be suggested and made available.
