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An assessment of the quantitative skills of students taking introductory college biology courses
Author(s) -
Marsh Jeffrey F.,
Anderson Norman D.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.3660260902
Subject(s) - mathematics education , test (biology) , science education , multiple choice , psychology , mathematics , biology , significant difference , statistics , paleontology
Twenty‐three mathematical competencies were identified and a 46‐item multiple choice test was developed to measure the extent to which students entering introductory college biology courses possessed these competencies. Students enrolled in semester‐long introductory courses for science majors and non‐science majors were given the test at the beginning and end of the courses. The relationships between the mathematical competencies possessed by students at the beginning of the semester and 15 variables dealing with student characteristics were examined. Also investigated was the relationship between test scores and the type of mathematics courses taken during the semester students were enrolled in the introductory biology courses.