Anxiety and Attitudes Toward Statistics and Research Among Younger and Older Nontraditional Adult Learners

Abstract

Individuals who are 50 years or older are the largest growing demographic among adult learners. However, we still are in the initial stages of investigating their attitudes and anxieties regarding specific areas of study. The current study explored differences between 92 younger (26–49 years) and older (50+ years) nontraditional-aged, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students’ attitudes and anxieties regarding statistics and research. The Attitudes Toward Research (ATR) and Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS) scales were completed via an online survey. Younger nontraditional-aged students generally expressed significantly higher anxiety and more negative beliefs regarding both statistics and research than their older counterparts. Differences were not explained by level of study nor by related experience. Results are discussed in relation to further consideration of student- and cohort-centered applications of andragogical and heutagogical principles for targeted educational practices.