Statistics Instructors' Perceptions of Statistics Literacy in Different Undergraduate Programs

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the statistical literacy perceptions of instructors who teach undergraduate statistics courses in different disciplines. Instructors were asked questions on their statistical literacy definitions, organization of the course content, topics emphasized or avoided by instructors in teaching statistics, and instructors post-course expectations from their students. Qualitative data gathered from interviews were analyzed and categorized under five main themes. The instructors' ultimate expectations from the students and the topics they emphasized during the courses are mostly stated in relation with statistical literacy. They provided less information related statistical literacy about two themes: course content and the issues they avoid. Recommendations from this study include reviewing and revising statistics course content and methods to reveal the components of statistical literacy.