Statistical Understanding Among Students at a University in Honduras During the First Semester of 2024

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the statistical knowledge of students at the Regional University Center of San Pedro Sula of the Francisco Morazan National Pedagogical University (CURSPS-UPNFM).  A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional design was used to assess the current situation of statistics education in Honduras. Data were collected from 325 students of the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia by applying a diagnostic test of five tasks that address basic topics of introductory statistics. The responses of the students were scored on a 0-3 scale based on the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) paradigm developed by Norman L. Webb. This study sets the foundations for future research on statistics instruction, a subject seldom taught in Honduran schools. The results demonstrated serious deficiencies in students’ procedural execution and in assessing statistical data and results. This study helps assess the current level of statistical skills that students are obtaining at school. The results emphasize the need to strengthen statistics education, given that teachers, themselves, must be adept in analyzing and interpreting statistical information. This is especially relevant at UPNFM, which prepares the future teachers of the different levels of the Honduran educational system.