THE CONCEPT OF DISTRIBUTION

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIATION AND EXPECTATION ON

THE Developing Awareness of Distribution

Jane M. Watson

University of Tasmania

Jane.Watson@utas.edu.au

ABSTRACT

This study considers the evolving influence of variation and expectation on the development of school students’ appreciation of distribution as displayed in their construction of graphical representations of data sets. Three interview protocols are employed, presenting different contexts within which 109 students, ranging in age from 6 to 15 years, could display and interpret their understanding. Responses are analyzed within a hierarchical cognitive framework. It is hypothesized from the analysis that, contrary to the order in which expectation and variation are introduced in the school curriculum, the natural tendency for students is to acknowledge variation first and then expectation.

Keywords: Statistics education research; Interviews; School students; Graphs

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Statistics Education Research Journal, 8(1), 32-61, http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/serj

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

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Jane M. Watson

Faculty of Education

University of Tasmania

Private Bag 66

Hobart, Tasmania 7001

Australia