Research Article Open Access

From a Vicious Circle of Anxiety to a Virtuous Circle of Learning: Experience of Teaching Statistics to a Heterogeneous Clientele

Mohammad Alauddin and James E. Butler

Abstract

A considerable body of literature suggests that significant psychological barrier and anxiety characterize the teaching and learning process in statistics. This study investigates the incidence of statistics anxiety, the extent to which it can be overcome and the factors that contribute to the process of overcoming it. Self-study and overall teaching quality, amongst others, significantly contributed to this outcome. This study identifies factors contributing to overall teaching quality. The teaching and learning process typified a highly effective communication mechanism based on an appropriate diagnosis of individual needs. This cumulative change resulted from circular causation. It is argued that given appropriate conditions the vicious circle of anxiety can be transformed into a virtuous circle of learning.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 1 No. 3, 2004, 202-208

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2004.202.208

Submitted On: 28 April 2005 Published On: 30 September 2004

How to Cite: Alauddin, M. & Butler, J. E. (2004). From a Vicious Circle of Anxiety to a Virtuous Circle of Learning: Experience of Teaching Statistics to a Heterogeneous Clientele . American Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(3), 202-208. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2004.202.208

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Keywords

  • Statistics Anxiety
  • Problem-Based Learning
  • Cumulative Change
  • Circular Causation