ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Investigating groupings in pre-service accounting teachers' attitudes towards mathematics

 

 

Msizi Mkhize

School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A distinct mathematics proficiency is required in the study of accounting. The students' success depends on attitudes towards mathematics that influence the participation rate of students in accounting modules.
AIM: The main aim of the study was to investigate groupings in pre-service accounting teachers' attitudes towards mathematics.
SETTING: The setting of the study was a higher education institution (HEI). This study was based on a survey of pre-service accounting teachers about their attitudes towards mathematics.
METHODS: This study used Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales (F-SMAS). A convenient sample of the study was 255 Bachelor of Education (Accounting) students (first year = 143, second year = 77 and third year = 35). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with p < 0.050 level of significance.
RESULTS: The study found that mathematical ability, family, home context and geographical location were significant factors in determining attitudes towards mathematics and subsequent study of accounting.
CONCLUSION: The study offers practical insights to navigate attitudes towards mathematics of students with the aim of setting mathematics support interventions given the several challenge students encounter in mathematics.

Keywords: investigating; groupings; attitudes towards mathematics; pre-service accounting teachers; mathematics; accounting.

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Introduction

Mathematics matters in commerce. There is a link between students' success in completing economic management modules and their mathematics competence.¹ A distinct mathematics proficiency is required in the study of accounting.^2,3 The students' success in mathematics depends on attitudes towards mathematics and influences their participation rate.⁴ Attitude is a set of emotions, beliefs and behaviours toward a particular object, person, thing or event.⁵ In terms of the link between attitudes and learning, 'attitudes influence intentions which, in turn, influence behaviour. Behaviour then leads to personal experiences which, in turn, have an effect on attitudes'.⁶ Attitude shapes the behaviour. Positive attitude leads towards a favourable response and negative attitude develops an unfavourable response.⁷ Neale⁸ defined attitude towards learning mathematics as an aggregated measure that include ingredients such as a liking or disliking of mathematics, a tendency to engage in or avoid mathematical activity, a belief that one is good or bad at mathematics, and a belief that mathematics is useful or useless. Students successful in mathematics, have a more positive attitude towards mathematics.⁹ Value, self-confidence, enjoyment, motivation and anxiety surrounding mathematics are reflected in a student's attitude.¹⁰ A large majority of students in higher education institutions (HEIs) lack confidence in mathematical learning and are largely dependent rather than independent learners of mathematics.¹¹

A significantly larger percentage of pre-service teachers experience high levels of negative attitudes towards mathematics when compared to other undergraduate students.^12,13 However, Evans¹⁴ reported an increase in both mathematical content knowledge and positive attitudes towards mathematics as well as self-efficacy of new teachers after taking a mathematics methods module. According to Weissglass,¹⁵ there are many factors that affect student learning, for example, race, class, gender, language, sexual orientation, culture, mathematics, role of schools in a democratic society, teaching, learning and assessment. These factors influence the attitudes that affect students' learning. Diagnostic tests occupy a vital role in identifying students at risk of failing accounting because of their attitude towards mathematics.¹⁶

The main aim of the study was to investigate the groupings of students' attitudes towards mathematics in relation to demographic variables such as gender, age, race, mother tongue, Grade 12 mathematics, accounting module and location of the school. The research question for the study was formulated as follows: How do attitudes towards mathematics relate to demographic variables such as gender, age, race, mother tongue, Grade 12 mathematics, accounting module and location of the school? This study assisted in understanding demographic significant differences of attitudes towards mathematics to design appropriate interventions for students with less attitude towards mathematics. Teachers should be aware of students' attitudes towards mathematics and strive to improve them to positively influence their academic achievement.¹⁷

 

Literature review

The tripartite theory

The tripartite theory of attitudes or ABC Model of attitudes is underpinning this study. Every attitude has three components: Affect, Behaviour and Cognition.^18,19,20 Affect involves a person's feelings, emotions about the attitude object; for example, I am afraid of scorpions. Behavioural (conative) involves the way we respond to the attitude object; for example, I will avoid scorpions and scream and run away if I see one. Cognitive component involves a person's belief and knowledge about the attitude object; for example, I believe that scorpions are dangerous reptile.^21,22 According to Fennema and Sherman²⁰ in mathematics, affect (A) factor measures the following: attitude towards success - I would be proud and happy to do well in mathematics, confidence - I am confident in doing mathematics, anxiety - I am not anxious about doing mathematics. Behaviour (B) factor measure the effectance motivation of mathematics - the challenges of mathematics (problem solving) motivate me. Cognitive (C) factor measures the perceived usefulness of mathematics - I regard mathematics as useful in my life.

Home environment and school environment play an important role in shaping students' attitudes towards mathematics^20,23 The mother or father component attempts to measure students' perception of their mother's and father's influence in their mathematical ability. In the home factors, mother and/or father may encourage and affirm students' efforts in mathematics. The teacher component attempts to measure students' perception of their teacher's influence in their mathematical ability. The school factors, such as mathematics teacher, play a significant role in the development of attitudes towards mathematics. Teachers influence their students in the classrooms.²⁰

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics between student groupings

Males versus Females: A study conducted by Farooq and Shah⁴ in Pakistan on high school students attitude towards mathematics found no gender significant differences in the confidence towards mathematics, usefulness of mathematics, mathematics as a male domain and mathematics teachers' perception (p > 0.050). They concluded that gender differential has no impact on the attitude towards mathematics in Pakistan. Kosgey et al.²⁴ in their research on gender differences and attitudes towards learning of mathematics amongst secondary school students in Keiyo District, Kenya, found that both males and females have positive attitudes towards learning of mathematics, although males were more positively inclined than females. Students' perceptions of parental, teachers' and peer expectations were found to significantly influence gender differences and attitudes towards learning of mathematics (p < 0.050). However, a study performed by Asante²³ revealed a significant difference in attitudes towards mathematics between males and females (p < 0.050). High school male students showed a more positive attitude towards mathematics than female students Woodard²⁵ who examined the effects of mathematics anxiety on post-secondary development students' gender, found that female students are significantly more anxious about mathematics than male students (p < 0.050). Correspondingly, a study by Yeo (2013)²⁶, found that mathematics anxiety exists amongst the high ability students in two secondary schools. Girls exhibited a higher level of mathematics anxiety than boys. Research by Arslan et al.²⁷ revealed a significant difference between female and male students in terms of students' success in mathematics (p < 0.050). Female students showed a positive attitude towards success in mathematics than male students. Younger students versus older students: Frazier-Kouassi²⁸ discovered significant difference between younger and older students on the mathematics as a male domain (p < 0.050). The older students had a more positive male domain attitudes than the younger students. No further significant differences were found²⁸ in mathematics anxiety of traditional-aged students (< 25 years) and non-traditional aged students (≥ 25 years) (p > 0.050). Rural students versus urban students: The results of a study conducted by Frazier-Kouassi²⁸ revealed a significant difference between rural and urban students on the mother's mathematics attitude (p < 0.050). No further differences were found on the other mathematics attitudes domains. Low-achieving students versus high-achieving students: Frazier-Kouassi²⁸ discovered significant differences between low-achieving and high-achieving students were found on the mathematics anxiety, effectance motivation (attitude towards problem solving) and usefulness mathematics domains (p < 0.050). No other significant differences were found.

 

Method and procedure

Research methods and procedures adopted in this study are explained in the next sub-sections.

Research design, paradigm and sampling

A quantitative research design in the form of surveys was adopted for this study. Research design is a plan or blueprint of how one plans to carry out the research.²⁹ This study is located to a post-positivist paradigm. The study targeted all pre-service accounting teachers at a higher education institution with a population of 299 pre-service accounting teachers (first year, 179; second year, 85 and third year, 35). Convenience sampling method was used because the pre-service accounting teachers were based at the HEI and were easy to reach and easy to contact. Convenience sampling involves choosing participants that are easily accessible to the researcher.³⁰

Data collection method

The questionnaires were administered to the pre-service accounting teachers at a higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. To facilitate maximum response and to analyse data with ease, I divided the questionnaire into two sections as follows: Section A: Biographical variables - This section enabled the researcher to obtain a personal profile of the participants such as age, gender, race, year of study, mother tongue, area of schooling, education level and previous education background and Section B: Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitude Scale (F-SMAS) - This section was divided into eight sections, each seeking to elicit pre-service accounting teachers' attitudes to an aspect of mathematics.

The F-SMAS, with established reliability and validity was used for the study. The F-SMAS used are as follows: The attitude towards success in mathematics subscale, the mother subscale, father subscales, the teacher subscale, the confidence in learning mathematics subscale, the mathematics anxiety subscale, the effectance motivation in mathematics subscale, and the mathematics usefulness subscale.²⁰ Each of these scales contained 12 items, of which 6 measure positive attitudes towards mathematics and 6 measure negative attitudes towards mathematics. The five-point Likert scale was used: strongly agree, agree, not sure, disagree and strongly disagree. Each of the Likert responses was given a value of 5 to 1, respectively, for the positively stated questions and 1 to 5, respectively, for the negatively stated questions. The minimum possible score was 12, neutral possible score was 36. and the maximum possible score was 60. A higher score indicates more positive attitudes towards mathematics and a lower score indicates more negative attitudes towards mathematics. A questionnaire is a research tool consisting of a series of questions designed to generate a collection of written answers (by the respondents) to underlying issues, which the research seeks to investigate.³¹ The main aim of a questionnaire is to acquire facts and opinions about a phenomenon from participants.³² All allotted questionnaires were received on the same day. Some students opted not to participate in the research. The 255 received responses are as follows: first year, 143 (80%); second year, 77 (91%) and third year, 35 (100%). Incomplete questionnaires were removed to avoid bias. The objectives of the study were explained, and informed consent was signed by the participants. I stressed that responses will be treated as confidential, and only pseudonyms would be used.

Data analysis and interpretation

Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated from the questionnaires with the assistance of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). The results were interpreted by comparing the means with the domains and using t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p < 0.050, level of significance. The Cronbach's coefficient alpha was used to establish internal consistency reliability. The reliability for the overall questionnaire was 0.961. The Cronbach's alpha value of 0.961 is considered excellent. This study's Cronbach's alpha for each used domain of F-SMAS is as follows: The attitude towards success in mathematics (0.760), mother's mathematics attitude (0.842), father's mathematics attitude (0.913), mathematics anxiety (0.912), effectance motivation in doing mathematics (0.847), usefulness of mathematics (0.893), teacher's mathematics attitude (0.824) and confidence in learning mathematics (0.922).

 

Research results

Groupings of various students' attitudes towards mathematics

Gender differences in pre-service teachers' attitude towards mathematics

The results of the t-test showed significant differences between male and female respondents in some domains. In comparison with male respondents, female respondents reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics, a more positive perception of the father as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics and a more positive perception of the teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics (p < 0.050). No further significant differences were found between male and female students for the remaining F-SMAS subscales (p > 0.050) (see Table 1).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics between younger and older students

No significant differences were found between younger and older students (p > 0.050) (see Table 2).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics between black students and Indian students

There were significant differences between black students and Indian students. Indian students reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their mother and father as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics and a more positive overall (F-SMAS total) mean scores of black students and Indian students attitudes towards mathematics (p < 0.050). No additional differences amongst the black students and Indian respondents were found for the remaining F-SMAS subscales (p > 0.050) (see Table 3).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics between English- and Zulu-speaking students

Significant differences were found between English- and Zulu-speaking students. Indian students, whose mother tongue is typically English, reported more positive attitudes to success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their mother and father as source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude to effectance motivation in doing mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics and a more positive overall (F-SMAS total) mean scores of English and Zulu students' attitudes towards mathematics (p < 0.050). No further significances were found amongst the two groups on remaining F-SMAS subscales (p > 0.050) (see Table 4).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics between mathematics and mathematical literacy students

There were significant differences between mathematics and mathematical literacy students. In comparison with mathematical literacy students, the mathematics students reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their father as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards usefulness of mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics and a more positive overall (F-SMAS total) mean scores of mathematics and mathematical literacy students' attitudes towards mathematics (p < 0.050). No further significances were found amongst the two groups on remaining F-SMAS subscales (p > 0.050) (see Table 5).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics amongst first-, second- and third-year students

No significant differences were found amongst first-, second- and third-year students (p > 0.050) (see Table 6).

 

 

Differences in attitudes towards mathematics amongst rural, township and suburban students

The results of the ANOVA showed significant differences between rural, township and suburban students. The suburban students reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their mother and father as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; and a more positive overall mean scores of suburban area students attitudes towards mathematics than township and rural students (p < 0.050). No further significances were found amongst the two groups on remaining F-SMAS subscales (p > 0.050) (see Table 7).

 

 

Discussion of results

The results of the t-tests indicated significant differences between various student groupings in attitudes towards mathematics.

The female students reported more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; more positive perception of their father as a source of encouragement, support, and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; and more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics than male students. The study findings are supported by Arslan et al,²⁷ but refute the findings of the study by many other researchers.^4,23,25 English, Indian and suburban students reported more positive attitude towards success in mathematics, more positive perception of their mother, father and teacher as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics, more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics and more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics than Zulu, black, township and rural students.

Indian students reported more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; more positive perception of their mother and father as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics, more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics and more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics than black students.

Mathematics students reported more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; more positive perception of their father and teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; more positive attitude towards usefulness of mathematics and more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics than mathematical literacy students. This is in contrast with a study by Frazier-Kouassi²⁸ who found that high-achieving students reported less anxious attitudes, more positive attitudes to effectance motivation and more positive attitudes to the usefulness of mathematics than their low-achieving peers. No additional significances were found amongst the two groups.

No significant differences were found in attitudes towards mathematics between younger and older students. This finding corresponds with a study by Woodard,²⁵ but is in contrast with a study by Frazier-Kouassi,²⁸ who found that older students expressed more positive male domain attitudes than younger students. No additional significant differences amongst younger and older students were found. No significant differences were found in attitudes towards mathematics between first-, second- and third-year students.

The results of the ANOVA showed a significant difference between suburban, township and rural students. Suburban students reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their mother and father as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; and more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics than township and rural students. This is in contrast with the finding by Frazier-Kouassi²⁸ that rural students expressed more positive perceptions of the mother as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics. No further significant differences were found among rural and urban students.

 

Conclusion and recommendations

In response to research the questions, the following claim is made:

'Differences in attitudes towards mathematics domains reflect a cultural racial split. The differences seem to fall into two camps, such as English, Indian and suburban students versus Zulu, black and township and rural students'.

In relation to differences between various student groupings in attitudes towards mathematics, female students reported more positive attitudes than male students to succeed in mathematics; more positive perception of their father as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; and more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics. Indian, English and suburban students, compared to black, Zulu, township and rural students, reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their mother and father as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards effectance motivation in doing mathematics; a more positive perception of their teacher as a source of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; and a more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics.

Mathematics students, compared with mathematical literacy students, reported a more positive attitude towards success in mathematics; a more positive perception of their father and teacher as sources of encouragement, support and affirmation of their efforts in mathematics; a more positive attitude towards usefulness of mathematics; and more positive overall attitudes towards mathematics.

No significant differences were found between younger and older students' attitudes towards mathematics. Therefore, no gap was found in attitudes towards mathematics amongst younger and older students. No significant differences were also found between first-, second- and third-year students' attitudes towards mathematics. It means that degree level differential has no impact on the attitude of students towards mathematics.

The study revealed that mathematical ability, family and home context as well geographical location were significant factors in determining attitudes towards mathematics and subsequent study of accounting. The F-SMAS used in this study could be applied by teachers and academics to navigate attitudes towards mathematics of students with the aim of setting one-on-one or group mathematics support interventions for students who depict less attitudes towards mathematics. Curriculum specialists are encouraged to devise strategies that could positively enhance students' attitudes towards mathematics.

The study is limited to pre-service accounting teachers (students) in the accounting education discipline. Results cannot be generalised to all South African higher education accounting students. This study could be conducted in other HEI (a large-scale study could be conducted) and in the Department of Basic Education. Researchers may further study other demographic variables that affect students' attitudes towards mathematics.

 

Acknowledgements

Competing interests

The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced him in writing this article.

Author's contributions

M.M. is the sole author of this article.

Ethical considerations

Ethical clearance to conduct this study was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Human Research Ethics Committee and the Higher Education Institution (reference number: HSS/0117/013D). Respondents signed an informed consent form and gave them assurance of confidentiality and anonymity.

Funding information

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated agency of the author, and the publisher.

 

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Correspondence:
Msizi Mkhize
mkhizem4@ukzn.ac.za

Received: 02 Aug. 2021
Accepted: 18 Nov. 2021
Published: 31 Mar. 2022

 

 

Project Number: 203514960