Comparing the probability-related misconceptions of pupils at different education levels

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to compare and evaluate the probability-related misconceptions of pupils at different education levels. A cross-sectional/age study was thus conducted with 540 pupils in 5th-8th grades. An instrument, comprising six questions on the concepts of compound events, probability of an event and probability comparisons, was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques(SPSS 15.0) and the chi-square test. This study showed that the percentage of correct answers increased when the level of education increased, whereas the misconceptions about the concept of compound events I decreased; also, the percentage of correct answers decreased and the misconceptions about the concept of compound events II increased. In the questions related to the concept of probability of an event and probability comparisons, as the level of education increased both the percentage of correct answers and the misconceptions increased. Therefore, it can be suggested that pupils' misconceptions regarding probability concepts vary, which depends on the characteristics of such concepts and pupils' age and education level.