Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which six cognitive and attitudinal variables predicted pre-service elementary teachers’ (N = 87) performance on line graphing. Predictors included reading comprehension and mathematics scores, logical thinking performance scores, as well as measures of attitudes toward science, mathematics and graphing. Results indicated that mathematical and logical thinking ability were the most significant predictors of line graph performance among the other variables, accounting for 41% of the total variability. Findings from this study suggest that elementary science education programs augment instruction to include aspects of mathematics and logical thinking.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (1993). Benchmarks for science literacy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Berg, C. A., & Phillips, D. G. (1994). An investigation of the relationship between logical thinking structures and the ability to construct and interpret line graphs. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 31(4), 323–344.
Bloom, B. S. (1976). Human characteristics and school learning. New York: McGraw- Hill Book Company.
Bowen, G. M., & Roth, W. -M. (2005). Data and graph interpretation practices among preservice science teachers. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42(10), 1063–1088.
Bowen, G. M., Roth, W.-M., & McGinn, M. K. (1999). Interpretations of graphs by university biology students and practicing scientists: Toward a social practice view of scientific representation practices. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 36(9), 1020–1043.
Bursal, M., & Paznokas, L. (2006). Mathematics anxiety and preservice elementary teachers’ confidence to teach mathematics and science. School Science & Mathematics, 106(4), 173–180.
Cady, J. A., & Rearden, K. (2007). Pre-service teachers’ beliefs about knowledge, mathematics and science. School Science and Mathematics, 107(6), 237–245.
Chiappetta, E. L., & Koballa, T. R. (2006). Science instruction in the middle and secondary schools: Developing fundamental knowledge and skills for teaching. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Curcio, F. R. (1987). Comprehension of mathematical relationships expressed in graphs. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 18(5), 382–393.
Dossey, J. A., Mullis, I. V. S., Lindquist, M. M., & Chambers, D. L. (1988). The mathematics report card: Trends and achievement based on the 1986 national assessment. Princeton: Educational Testing Service.
Foss, D. H., & Kleinsasser, R. C. (1996). Preservice elementary teachers’ views of pedagogical and mathematical content knowledge. Teaching and Teacher Education, 12(4), 429–442.
Friel, S. N., Curcio, F. R., & Bright, G. W. (2001). Making sense of graphs: Critical factors influencing comprehension and instructional implications. Journal of Research in Mathematics Education, 32(2), 124–158.
Gencer, A. S., & Cakiroglu, J. (2007). Turkish preservice science teachers’ efficacy beliefs regarding science teaching and their beliefs about classroom management. Teaching and Teacher Education, 23(5), 664–675.
Germann, P. J. (1988). Development of the attitude toward science in school assessment and its use to investigate the relationship between science achievement and attitude toward science in school. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 25(8), 689–703.
Gillian, D. J., & Lewis, R. (1994). A componential model of human interaction with graphs: 1. Linear regression modeling. Human Factors, 36, 419–440.
Kadijevich, D. (2008). TIMSS 2003: Relating dimensions of mathematics attitude to mathematics achievement. Zbornik instituta za Pedagogical Research, 40(2), 327–346.
Lotter, C. (2004). Preservice science teachers’ concerns through classroom observations and student teaching: Special focus on inquiry teaching. Science Educator, 13(1), 29–38.
Lunsford, E., Melear, C. T., Roth, W.-M., Perkins, M., & Hickok, L. G. (2007). Proliferation of inscriptions and transformations among preservice science teachers engaged in authentic science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44(4), 538–564.
Ma, X. (1997). Reciprocal relationships between attitude toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics. The Journal of Educational Research, 90(4), 221–229.
Ma, X., & Kishor, N. (1997). Assessing the relationship between attitude toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics: A meta-analysis. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 28, 26–47.
Ma, X., & Xu, J. (2004). Determining the causal ordering between attitude toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics. American Journal of Education, 110, 256–280.
Maichle, U. (1994). Cognitive processes in understanding line graphs. In W. Schnotz & R. W. Kulhavy (Eds.), In comprehension of graphics (pp. 207–226). New York: Elsevier Science.
McDermott, L. C., Rosenquist, M. L., & van Zee, E. H. (1987). Student difficulties in connecting graphs and physics: Example from kinematics. American Journal of Physics, 55(6), 503–513.
McKenzie, D., & Padilla, M. J. (1984). Effects of laboratory activities and written simulations on the acquisition of graphing skills by eighth grade students. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.
McKenzie, D. L., & Padilla, M. J. (1986). The construction and validation of the test of graphing in science (TOGS). Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 23(7), 571–579.
McKnight, C. C., Crosswhite, F. J., Dossey, J. A., Kifer, E., Swafford, J. O., Travers, K. J., et al. (1987). The underachieving curriculum: Assessing U.S. school mathematics from an international perspective. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing Company.
McLeod, D. B. (1992). Research on affect in mathematics education: A reconceptualization. In D. A. Grouws (Ed.), Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
McLeod, D. B. (1994). Research on affect and mathematics learning in the JMRE: 1970 to the present. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 25(6), 637–647.
Moore, R. W., & Hill-Foy, R. L. H. (1996). The scientific attitude inventory: A revision (SAI II). Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 34(4), 327–336.
Moxley, R. A. (2007). Graphing in the classroom for improving instruction: From lesson plans to research. Education and Treatment of Children, 30(2), 11–126.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (1989). Curriculum and evaluation standards for school mathematics. Virginia: Reston.
National Research Council (NRC). (1996). National science education standards. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Nicoll, G., & Francisco, J. S. (2001). An investigation of the factors influencing student performance in physical chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education, 78, 99–102.
Oliver, J. S., & Simpson, R. D. (1988). Influences of attitude toward science, achievement motivation, and science self-concept on achievement in science: A longitudinal study. Science Education, 72(2), 143–155.
Osborne, J., Simon, S., & Collins, S. (2003). Attitudes towards science: A review of the literature and its implications. International Journal of Science Education, 25(9), 1049–1079.
Österholm, M. (2006a). Characterizing reading comprehension of mathematical texts. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 63, 325–346.
Österholm, M. (2006b). A reading comprehension perspective on problem solving. Paper presented at the MADIF—5: The Fifth Swedish Mathematics Education Research Seminar, Malmö, Sweden.
Palmer, D. H. (2001). Factors contributing to attitude exchange amongst preservice elementary teachers. Science Education, 85(6), 122–138.
Papanastasiou, C. (2000). Effects of attitudes and beliefs on mathematics achievement. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 26, 27–42.
Papanastasiou, E. C., & Zembylas, M. (2002). The effect of attitudes on science achievement: A study conducted among high school pupils in Cyprus. International Review of Education, 48(6), 469–484.
Pedersen, J. E., & McCurdy, D. W. (1992). The effects of hands-on, minds-on teaching experiences on attitudes of preservice elementary teachers. Science Education, 76(2), 141–146.
Rennie, L. J., & Punch, K. F. (1989). The relationship between affect and achievement in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 28(2), 193–209.
Ritter, D., & Coleman, S. L. (1995). Assessing the graphing skills of pre-service elementary teachers: Identifying strengths and deficiencies in education students’ learning processes. Journal of College Science Teaching, 24(6), 388–391.
Roadrangka, V., Yeany, R. H., & Padilla, M. J. (1983). The construction and validation of group assessment of logical thinking (GALT). Paper presented at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, Dallas: TX.
Roth, W.-M. (2002). Reading graphs: Contributions to an integrative concept of literacy. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 34, 1–24.
Roth, W.-M., & Bowen, G. M. (1999). Of cannibals, missionaries, and converts: Graphing competencies from grade 8 to professional science inside (classrooms) and outside (field/laboratory). Science. Technology and Human Values, 24(2), 179–212.
Roth, W.-M., & McGinn, M. K. (1996). Graphing: Cognitive ability or practice? Science Education, 81, 91–106.
Roth, W.-M., McGinn, M. K., & Bowen, G. M. (1998). How prepared are preservice teachers to teach scientific inquiry? Levels of performance in scientific representation practices. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 9(1), 25–48.
Roth, W.-M., & Roychoudhury, A. (1993). The development of science process skills in authentic contexts. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 30, 127–152.
Russell, S. J. (1991). Counting noses and scary things: Children construct their ideas about data. In D. Vere-Jones (Ed.), In Proceedings of the third international conference on teaching statistics (Vol. 1, pp. 158–164). Voorburg, Netherlands: International Statistical Institute.
Schibeci, R. A. (1984). Attitudes to science: An update. Studies in Science Education, 11, 26–59.
Shrigley, R. L. (1990). Attitude and behavior are correlates. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(2), 97–113.
Simpson, R. D., & Oliver, J. S. (1990). A summary of major influences on attitude toward and achievement in science among adolescent students. Science Education, 74, 1–18.
Simpson, R. D., & Wasik, J. L. (1978). Correlation of selected affective behaviors with cognitive performance in a biology course for elementary teachers. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 15, 65–71.
Tapia, M., & Marsh, G. E. (2005). Attitudes toward mathematics inventory redux. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 9(3), 272–275.
Thomas, J. A., & Pedersen, J. E. (2003). Reforming elementary science teacher preparation: What about extant teaching beliefs? School Science and Mathematics, 103(7), 319–330.
Tosun, T. (2000). The beliefs of preservice elementary teachers toward science and science teaching. School Science & Mathematics, 100(7), 374–379.
Van Dyke, F., & White, A. (2004). Examining students’ reluctance to use graphs. Mathematics Teacher, 98(2), 110–117.
Wavering, M. J. (1989). Logical reasoning necessary to make line graphs. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 26(5), 373–379.
Yeany, R. H., Chin-Yap, K., & Padilla, M. J. (1986). Analyzing hierarchical relationships among modes of cognitive reasoning and integrated science process skills. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 3(4), 277–291.
Yingkang, W., & Yoong, W. K. (2007). Exploring attitude toward statistical graphs among Singapore secondary school students. The Mathematics Educator, 10(1), 39–58.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Szyjka, S., Mumba, F. & Wise, K.C. Cognitive and Attitudinal Predictors Related to Line Graphing Achievement among Elementary Pre-service Teachers. J Sci Teacher Educ 22, 563–578 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-010-9207-y
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-010-9207-y