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The Importance of Medical Students' Attitudes Regarding Cognitive Competence for Teaching Applied Statistics: Multi-Site Study and Meta-Analysis

Author

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  • Natasa M Milic
  • Srdjan Masic
  • Jelena Milin-Lazovic
  • Goran Trajkovic
  • Zoran Bukumiric
  • Marko Savic
  • Nikola V Milic
  • Andja Cirkovic
  • Milan Gajic
  • Mirjana Kostic
  • Aleksandra Ilic
  • Dejana Stanisavljevic

Abstract

Background: The scientific community increasingly is recognizing the need to bolster standards of data analysis given the widespread concern that basic mistakes in data analysis are contributing to the irreproducibility of many published research findings. The aim of this study was to investigate students’ attitudes towards statistics within a multi-site medical educational context, monitor their changes and impact on student achievement. In addition, we performed a systematic review to better support our future pedagogical decisions in teaching applied statistics to medical students. Methods: A validated Serbian Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS-36) questionnaire was administered to medical students attending obligatory introductory courses in biostatistics from three medical universities in the Western Balkans. A systematic review of peer-reviewed publications was performed through searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Medline, and APA databases through 1994. A meta-analysis was performed for the correlation coefficients between SATS component scores and statistics achievement. Pooled estimates were calculated using random effects models. Results: SATS-36 was completed by 461 medical students. Most of the students held positive attitudes towards statistics. Ability in mathematics and grade point average were associated in a multivariate regression model with the Cognitive Competence score, after adjusting for age, gender and computer ability. The results of 90 paired data showed that Affect, Cognitive Competence, and Effort scores demonstrated significant positive changes. The Cognitive Competence score showed the largest increase (M = 0.48, SD = 0.95). The positive correlation found between the Cognitive Competence score and students’ achievement (r = 0.41; p

Suggested Citation

  • Natasa M Milic & Srdjan Masic & Jelena Milin-Lazovic & Goran Trajkovic & Zoran Bukumiric & Marko Savic & Nikola V Milic & Andja Cirkovic & Milan Gajic & Mirjana Kostic & Aleksandra Ilic & Dejana Stani, 2016. "The Importance of Medical Students' Attitudes Regarding Cognitive Competence for Teaching Applied Statistics: Multi-Site Study and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0164439
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dejana Stanisavljevic & Goran Trajkovic & Jelena Marinkovic & Zoran Bukumiric & Andja Cirkovic & Natasa Milic, 2014. "Assessing Attitudes towards Statistics among Medical Students: Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(11), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Natasa M Milic & Goran Z Trajkovic & Zoran M Bukumiric & Andja Cirkovic & Ivan M Nikolic & Jelena S Milin & Nikola V Milic & Marko D Savic & Aleksandar M Corac & Jelena M Marinkovic & Dejana M Stanisa, 2016. "Improving Education in Medical Statistics: Implementing a Blended Learning Model in the Existing Curriculum," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-10, February.
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    1. Margarita Rubio & María Sánchez-Ronco & Rosa Mohedano & Asunción Hernando, 2018. "The impact of participatory teaching methods on medical students’ perception of their abilities and knowledge of epidemiology and statistics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-12, August.

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