A Framework for thinking about informal

Statistical inference

 

Katie makar

The University of Queensland

k.makar@uq.edu.au

 

andee rubin

TERC

andee_rubin@terc.edu

 

ABSTRACT

 

Informal inferential reasoning has shown some promise in developing students’ deeper understanding of statistical processes. This paper presents a framework to think about three key principles of informal inference – generalizations ‘beyond the data,’ probabilistic language, and data as evidence. The authors use primary school classroom episodes and excerpts of interviews with the teachers to illustrate the framework and reiterate the importance of embedding statistical learning within the context of statistical inquiry. Implications for the teaching of more powerful statistical concepts at the primary school level are discussed.

 

Keywords: Statistics education research; Informal inferential reasoning; Statistical inquiry; Ill-structured problems; Teacher professional development

 

 

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Statistics Education Research Journal, 8(1), 82-105, http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/serj

Ó International Association for Statistical Education (IASE/ISI), May, 2009

 

 

 

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Katie Makar

School of Education

The University of Queensland, QLD 4072

Australia