A computer-based approach to statistics teaching and assessment in psychology

Psychology is one of the most popular subjects in higher education in the United Kingdom. This chapter assesses the overall predictive power of the numeracy test on measures of undergraduate statistics performance, with the aim of determining which numeracy sub-topics were the strongest statistics examination score predictors. Students on all statistics modules receive a series of lectures followed by computer-based practical workshops, where they have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the statistical principles and methods taught using the software package SPSS. In addition to gaining confidence in understanding and applying the statistical methods learnt, students also need to develop their “statistical literacy”. Collaborative learning is fostered in the revision sessions, with students encouraged to work in pairs to pose diagnostic questions for each design description. The chapter concludes that students should be given a variety of learning experiences across a triad of domains within the teaching curriculum.