Abstract :

In this research study, the aim is to inspect the attitudes toward mathematics amongst disciplines, gender, and STEM and non-STEM students. To attain this objective, a questionnaire-based research was chosen; this instrument with 20 items in total consisted of four components, namely, self-confidence, enjoyment, motivation, and value. A total of 391 university students answered the questionnaire; the data is tested and analysed using SPSS 20. Since the data was not normally distributed, the Kruskal-Wallis Test for each factor was performed to check for significant differences across disciplines and post hoc tests in all cases to confirm which pairs have differences. Results of pair comparison revealed that a significant difference in all factors exists between Math Education (with higher mean rank) and other disciplines. To provide evidence of the possibility of group differences between STEM and non-STEM students in self-confidence, value, enjoyment, and motivation, the Mann-Whitney U Test is used. Findings detected slightly more positive attitudes among STEM students than non-STEM students. Performing the Mann-Whitney U Test for each factor revealed a significant difference between them with a medium effect size. Related to gender, no significant difference was detected. Whereas a significant difference was detected regarding gender among students in STEM disciplines. Evaluating attitudes of the respondents towards mathematics revealed that students had a moderately high level of enjoyment, self-confidence, and motivation in learning mathematics.

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Keywords :

Attitudes, Mathematics, Motivation, Self Confidence, STEM.

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References :

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