Developmental Mathematics Students: Who are They and What is Their Mathematics Self-Efficacy?

Abstract

Article InfoThe purpose of this quantitative study was to determine differences in developmental mathematics students' self-efficacy within the demographic data from the survey. Data from a sample of 240 Intermediate Algebra students at a single four-year university using the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Results indicate that males possess higher levels of mathematics self-efficacy and confidence with their mathematical abilities than females. Students who completed a lower developmental mathematics course prior to Intermediate Algebra possess lower levels of mathematics selfefficacy. The results of this study suggest developmental mathematics instructors should refine their teaching methodologies by incorporating strategies to increase their student's self-efficacy.

The influence of mathematics self‐efficacy on numeracy performance in first‐year nursing students: A quasi‐experimental study

“…Findings in this study are also consistent with previous findings that suggest gender (Baxter, Bates, & Al-Bataineh, 2016) and prior higher level or advanced mathematical education are associated with self-efficacy for mathematics (Varsavsky, 2010). Higher self-efficacy in mathematics among males has been reported in other studies, which may be linked to gender stereotypes and beliefs (Tellhed, Year of last math education: Up to 7 years ago 0.00 0.33 1.00 (0.52-1.91) 0.999…”

“…, & Björklund, 2017), although no gender differences in self-efficacy have also been reported (Hackett & Betz, 1989;Pajares & Graham, 1999). Nevertheless, other studies have also highlighted this pattern that females had lower self-efficacy than their male counterparts, both in mathematics and in other subject areas (Ainscough et al, 2016;Baxter et al, 2016;Pajares & Miller, 1994).…”

“…Higher self‐efficacy in mathematics among males has been reported in other studies, which may be linked to gender stereotypes and beliefs (Tellhed, Bäckström, & Björklund, ), although no gender differences in self‐efficacy have also been reported (Hackett & Betz, ; Pajares & Graham, ). Nevertheless, other studies have also highlighted this pattern that females had lower self‐efficacy than their male counterparts, both in mathematics and in other subject areas (Ainscough et al, ; Baxter et al, ; Pajares & Miller, ).…”