The profile of 8th graders’ level of statistical thinking: A case of analyzing and interpreting data

Abstract

This research aims to describe the profile of the level of statistical thinking of 8th graders of junior high school in the case of analyzing and interpreting data related to statistical problems. Using the statistical thinking framework by Mooney. The ability to think statistically is not only needed when students learn, but is needed when someone makes decisions. This is a qualitative research with the subjects of two eighth graders of SMP Walisongo 1 Semarang with the high initial abilities which can be seen from the subject behaviour in solving problems provided when the data were collected using Think Aloud method. The research findings showed that subjects with high initial abilities had the characteristics of statistical thinking at the 3rd level: Quantitative since the subjects were more effective and complete in presenting their ideas, and used quantitative information in solving statistical problems. The 3rd level: Quantitative showed that subjects provide several correct and appropriate responses to the data provided, subjects make a comparison of the several data, but they cannot compare the data as a whole, and subjects can only make correct conclusions based on the problem provided, even though the subject have not been able to make an overall conclusion.