Examining Motivational Attitudes Towards Statistics and Their Relationship to Performance in Life Science Students

Abstract

A strong foundation of statistics is essential for undergraduates pursuing life science careers, but this foundation is frequently undermined by negative student attitudes towards statistics. This study explored life science students’ motivational attitudes towards statistics, and their relationship to performance, using expectancy-value theory as a guiding framework. According to expectancy-value theory, task-values – interest in a task (intrinsic value), importance of doing well on a task (attainment value), perceptions of the usefulness of a task (utility value), and negative aspects of engaging in a task (cost) - impact achievement outcomes. However, task-values may be better represented by differentiating each into more specific underlying dimensions, or facets. Using 360 undergraduate life science students enrolled in biostatistics courses across two institutions, this study assessed the fit of a task-value facets model for statistics and examined which task-value facets relate to performance on a statistics assessment. Results show that life science students distinguish among facets of attainment value (importance of achievement, personal importance), utility value (school, daily life, social, career/job), and cost (effort, emotional, opportunity) for statistics. Students’ perceptions of the emotional cost of statistics and the importance of achievement in statistics related to their statistics performance. Implications for teaching and research are discussed.

Keywords

• Biostatistics
• Cost
• Expectancy-value theory
• Motivation
• Student attitudes
• Task-values