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Assessing Attitudes towards Statistics among Medical Students: Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS)

Author

Listed:
  • Dejana Stanisavljevic
  • Goran Trajkovic
  • Jelena Marinkovic
  • Zoran Bukumiric
  • Andja Cirkovic
  • Natasa Milic

Abstract

Background: Medical statistics has become important and relevant for future doctors, enabling them to practice evidence based medicine. Recent studies report that students’ attitudes towards statistics play an important role in their statistics achievements. The aim of the study was to test the psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the Survey of Attitudes Towards Statistics (SATS) in order to acquire a valid instrument to measure attitudes inside the Serbian educational context. Methods: The validation study was performed on a cohort of 417 medical students who were enrolled in an obligatory introductory statistics course. The SATS adaptation was based on an internationally accepted methodology for translation and cultural adaptation. Psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the SATS were analyzed through the examination of factorial structure and internal consistency. Results: Most medical students held positive attitudes towards statistics. The average total SATS score was above neutral (4.3±0.8), and varied from 1.9 to 6.2. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the six-factor structure of the questionnaire (Affect, Cognitive Competence, Value, Difficulty, Interest and Effort). Values for fit indices TLI (0.940) and CFI (0.961) were above the cut-off of ≥0.90. The RMSEA value of 0.064 (0.051–0.078) was below the suggested value of ≤0.08. Cronbach’s alpha of the entire scale was 0.90, indicating scale reliability. In a multivariate regression model, self-rating of ability in mathematics and current grade point average were significantly associated with the total SATS score after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion: Present study provided the evidence for the appropriate metric properties of the Serbian version of SATS. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the six-factor structure of the scale. The SATS might be reliable and a valid instrument for identifying medical students’ attitudes towards statistics in the Serbian educational context.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0112567
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112567
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    1. Esma Emmioglu Sarikaya & Ahmet Ok & Yesim Capa Aydin & Candace Schau, 2018. "Turkish version of the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics: Factorial Structure Invariance by Gender," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 7(2), pages 121-121, April.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Cladera, Magdalena, 2021. "Assessing the attitudes of economics students towards econometrics," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    5. Tracey L Weissgerber & Vesna D Garovic & Jelena S Milin-Lazovic & Stacey J Winham & Zoran Obradovic & Jerome P Trzeciakowski & Natasa M Milic, 2016. "Reinventing Biostatistics Education for Basic Scientists," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, April.

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