Synonyms
Definition
Remedial mathematics is defined as the intention to correct or improve one’s skill in mathematics. In this entry, a particular focus is on learning economics at university level. Actually, university-level economics presupposes an extensive use of mathematics which results in difficulties to learn economics. Consequently, many universities offer remedial math courses to students in order to compensate their difficulties to learn economics.
Theoretical Background
University-level economics makes extensive use of basic mathematics, which makes the subject difficult for less technically able students. Indeed, a number of studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between students’ mathematics background and their performance in economics degrees (e.g., Anderson et al. 1994; Butler et al. 1994). In an attempt to tackle the problem with underprepared students, many universities offer remedial math courses to students early...
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
Anderson, G., Benjamin, D., & Fuss, M. A. (1994). The determinants of success in university introductory economics courses. Journal of Economic Education, 25, 99–119.
Angrist, J. D., & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, J.-S. (2008). Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist’s companion. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.
Bettinger, E. P., & Long, B. T. (2009). Addressing the needs for under-prepared students in higher education: does college remediation work? The Journal of Human Resources, 44, 736–771.
Butler, J. S., Finegan, T. A., & Siegfried, J. J. (1994). Does more calculus improve student learning in intermediate micro and macro economics theory? American Economic Review (Papers and Proceedings), 84, 206–210.
Lagerlöf, J. N. M., & Seltzer, A. J. (2009). The effects of remedial mathematics on the learning of economics: Evidence from a natural experiment. Journal of Economic Education, 40, 115–137.
Pozo, S., & Stull, C. A. (2006). Requiring a math skills unit: results of a randomized experiment. American Economic Review (Papers and Proceedings), 96, 437–441.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Lagerlöf, J.N.M., Seltzer, A.J. (2012). Effects of Remedial Mathematics on the Learning of Economics. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1638
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1638
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1427-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1428-6
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law