Abstract
Dealing with statistical information requires critically reviewing evidence. Critical thinking consists of components like inductive reasoning, and questioning assertions and hypotheses. Even though statistical thinking and critical thinking appear to have strong links from a theoretical point of view, empirical research about the intersections and potential interrelatedness of these aspects of competence is scarce. Responding to this research need, this chapter aims to identify how abilities in both areas may be interdependent. A preliminary and exploratory qualitative study has been undertaken into thinking processes when working on tasks from both areas. This chapter reports a case study from one of the interviews.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aizikovitsh-Udi, E. (2012). Developing critical thinking through probability models, intuitive judgments and decision-making under uncertainty (Doctoral dissertation). Saarbrucken, Germany: LAP Lambert. ISBN 978-3-8383-7240-2.
Aizikovitsh-Udi, E., & Amit, M. (2008). Developing critical thinking in probability lesson. In O. Figueras, J. L. Cortina, S. Alatorre, T. Rojano, & A. Sepúlveda (Eds.), Proceedings of the Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 2, pp. 9–13). Morelia, México: Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo.
Chazan, D. (2000). Beyond Formulas in Mathematics and Teaching: Dynamics of the High School Algebra Classroom. New York: Teachers College Press.
Clarke, D. J., Goos, M., & Morony, W. (2007). Problem solving and working mathematically: An Australian perspective. Zentralblatt für Didaktik der Mathematik, 39, 475–490.
Curcio, F. R. (1987). Comprehension of mathematical relationships expressed in graphs. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 18(5), 382–393.
Ennis, R. H., & Millman, J. (1985). Cornell critical thinking test—Level Z. Pacific Grove, CA: Midwest.
Gal, I. (2004). Statistical literacy, meanings, components, responsibilities. In D. Ben-Zvi & J. Garfield (Eds.), The challenge of developing statistical literacy, reasoning and thinking (pp. 47–78). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer.
Kröpfl, B., Peschek, W., & Schneider, E. (2000). Stochastik in der Schule: Globale Ideen, lokale Bedeutungen, zentrale Tätigkeiten. [Stochastics in school: Global ideas, local significances, central activities]. Mathematica Didactica, 23(2), 25–57.
Kuntze, S., Engel, J., Martignon, L. & Gundlach, M. (2010). Aspects of statistical literacy between competency measures and indicators for conceptual knowledge—empirical research in the project RIKO-STAT. In C. Reading (Ed.), Data and context in statistics education: Towards an evidence-based society. Proceedings of ICOTS 8. Voorburg, The Netherlands: International Statistical Institute. Retrieved from www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications.php.
Kuntze, S., Lindmeier, A. & Reiss, K. (2008). “Using models and representations in statistical contexts” as a sub-competency of statistical literacy—results from three empirical studies. Proceedings of the 11th International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME 11). Monterrey, Mexico: Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Retrieved from http://tsg.icme11.org/document/get/474.
McPeck, J. (1981). Critical thinking and education. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Reading, C. (2002). Profile for statistical understanding. In B. Phillips (Ed.), Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Teaching Statistics. Voorburg, The Netherlands: International Statistical Institute. Retrieved January 28, 2008, from http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications/1/1a4_read.pdf.
Royalty, J. (1995). The Generalizability of Critical Thinking: Paranormal Beliefs Versus Statistical Reasoning. The Journal of Genetic Psychologist, 156(4), 477–488.
Wallman, K. (1993). Enhancing statistical literacy: Enriching our society. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 88(421), 1–8.
Watson, J. M. (1997). Assessing statistical thinking using the media. In I. Gal & J. B. Garfield (Eds.), The assessment challenge in statistics education (pp. 107–121). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Ios Press.
Watson, J., & Callingham, R. (2003). Statistical literacy: A complex hierarchical construct. Statistics Education Research Journal, 2(2), 3–46.
Watson, J. M., Kelly, B. A., Callingham, R. A., & Shaughnessy, J. M. (2003). The measurement of school students’ understanding of statistical variation. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 34(1), 1–29.
Wild, C., & Pfannkuch, M. (1999). Statistical thinking in empirical enquiry. International Statistical Review, 3, 223–266.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Aizikovitsh-Udi, E., Kuntze, S., Clarke, D. (2016). Connections Between Statistical Thinking and Critical Thinking: A Case Study. In: Ben-Zvi, D., Makar, K. (eds) The Teaching and Learning of Statistics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23470-0_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23470-0_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-23469-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-23470-0
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)