Identification and definition of lexically ambiguous words in statistics by tutors and students

Alice M Richardson; Peter K Dunn; Rene Hutchins

doi:10.1080/0020739X.2013.830781

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Identification and definition of lexically ambiguous words in statistics by tutors and students

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Identification and definition of lexically ambiguous words in statistics by tutors and students

Alice M Richardson, Peter K Dunn and Rene Hutchins

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.44(7), pp.1007-1019

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2013.830781

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Abstract

language acquisition

statistics education

Teaching/Learning

lexical ambiguity

tutoring

Lexical ambiguity arises when a word from everyday English is used differently in a particular discipline, such as statistics. This paper reports on a project that begins by identifying tutors' perceptions of words that are potentially lexically ambiguous to students, in two different ways. Students' definitions of nine lexically ambiguous words are also collected at the beginning and end of a semester of introductory statistics study, in a complex design taking account of multiple tutors and multiple words in multiple contexts. Tutor perceptions and actual student difficulties at the beginning of a semester are compared. The lexical ambiguity associated with the word 'significance' is shown to be evident in students even after completing an introductory statistics course.

Details

Title: Identification and definition of lexically ambiguous words in statistics by tutors and students
Authors: Alice M Richardson (Author) - University of Canberra
Peter K Dunn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Rene Hutchins (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.44(7), pp.1007-1019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1080/0020739X.2013.830781
ISSN: 0020-739X
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99447764302621
Output Type: Journal article

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