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Factors Explaining Business Students’ Performance In An Introductory Mathematics Course. What Are The Impacts Of Gender, Academic Ability, Personality Traits, And Attitudes Towards Mathematics?

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  • Leiv OPSTAD

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Mathematics skills are key factors for success in business studies, and for access to business degrees. It is important, therefore, to understand the determinants of mathematics scores among business students. The aim of our study was to identify factors that can explain mathematics performance among a cohort of business school students in Norway. This paper used a linear regression to quantify statistical associations between mathematics performance and the following independent variables: gender, grade point average (GPA) from upper secondary school, background in mathematics education, Big Five personality traits, and attitudes towards mathematics (ATM). Two factors – mathematics background, and self-confidence in mathematics – were positively associated with performance, though the significant effect of mathematics background disappeared after controlling for ATM. Given the importance of mathematics for success in business studies, we recommend that efforts are made to improve students’ confidence in this topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Leiv OPSTAD, 2021. "Factors Explaining Business Students’ Performance In An Introductory Mathematics Course. What Are The Impacts Of Gender, Academic Ability, Personality Traits, And Attitudes Towards Mathematics?," Advances in Education Sciences, Department of Communication, Journalism and Education Sciences, University of Craiova and Center of Advanced Studies in Education Sciences (CASES), vol. 3(1), pages 23-43, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:ako:aesjou:v:3:y:2021:i:1:p:23-43
    DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5791926
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Leiv Opstad, 2020. "Attitudes towards Statistics among Business Students: Do Gender, Mathematical Skills and Personal Traits Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Charles L. Ballard & Marianne F. Johnson, 2004. "Basic Math Skills and Performance in an Introductory Economics Class," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 3-23, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leiv Opstad & Philip Toney & Torbjørn Årethun, 2023. "Factors Influencing Students’ Choice Of Mathematics In High School And Experience In The Compulsory Business Mathematics Course: Evidence From Norway," Business Education and Accreditation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; attitudes towards mathematics; Big Five; mathematics skills; performance in business mathematics; regression analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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