Maths for Psychology

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Maths for Psychology

• Workshop at
• Helping Everyone Learn Mathematics
• 14 September 2005

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Workshop outline

• 1. Mapping the problem areas
• Mulhern and Wylie mini-project report
• 2. An example of a mini-project designed to
  address certain of the issues John Maltby
• 3. Discussion of potential solutions

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Discussions of some of the problems encountered

• Two workshops, January and March, 2005
• Animated discussion by participants
• One proposed solution UEL approach

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Mini-project Assessing numeracy and other
mathematical skills in psychology students as a
basis for learning statistics Gerry Mulhern
and Judith Wylie

• Widespread concern that university entrants
  skills in basic number dexterity, appreciation of
  number and basic algebraic reasoning declining
  e.g. in NI, two cohorts tested 1992 2002,
  decline noted
• Ability to undertake and evaluate empirical work
  central to psychological training
• Growing student numbers and gender imbalance

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Project objectives

• Assess numeracy and mathematical reasoning
  amongst entrants in range of psychology depts
  (through a large sample across both pre- and
  post-1992 HEIs) by using 20-question, 32-item
  test
• Identify conceptual difficulties in specific math
  components (six broad categories utilised)
• Provide diagnostic advice for teachers and
  consider implications for learning statistics

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Table 1 Sample details Institution N Location p
re/post 1992 A 166 NI pre B 107 NI pre C
101 Eng/W post D 236 Scot pre E 32 Eng/W
post F 101 Eng/W post G 130 Eng/W pre
H 17 Eng/W pre
Table 2 Students highest qualifications in
mathematics A-level A/B 77 O-level 19
A-level C-E 127 European 41 GCSE AddM
9 None / Blank 48 GCSE A 94 Access
30 GCSE B/C 435 GCSE D/E 10
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Results
Mean 13.75 (43) Range 0 29 HEI and gender
signif. main effects (see p.4)
Problematic components (p.5) Probability and
sampling Algebraic reasoning Estimation 23 items
good discriminants / diagnostic
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2. Potential solutions

• Using mathematical puzzles
• John Maltby

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3. Further discussion
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(No Transcript)
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Website http//www.psychology.heacademy.ac.uk/