Adults’ Use of Mathematics and Its Influence on Mathematical Competence
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Standard
In: International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, Vol. 15, No. 1, 01.01.2017, p. 155–174.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Adults’ Use of Mathematics and Its Influence on Mathematical Competence
AU - Duchhardt, Christoph
AU - Jordan, Anne-Katrin
AU - Ehmke, Timo
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) has recently drawn additional attention to “mathematical literacy” as an important influential factor for individuals’ life chances. High levels of mathematical literacy have thereby been linked to using mathematics in daily and working life frequently. In this paper, based on the data from Germany, we focus on the construct “use of mathematics” in two ways: First, we analyze in depth how it can be utilized to describe different groups of adults. Second, we investigate its role as predictor of mathematical competence and mediator of other relevant background variables. Results show that three groups of adults can be distinguished that use mathematics differently in daily and working life. However, the construct can sensibly be described as unidimensional. In a path model, “use of mathematics” turns out to be the strongest predictor of mathematical competence. In addition, it mediates effects of the mathematical requirements of the job, duration of education, and gender.
AB - The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) has recently drawn additional attention to “mathematical literacy” as an important influential factor for individuals’ life chances. High levels of mathematical literacy have thereby been linked to using mathematics in daily and working life frequently. In this paper, based on the data from Germany, we focus on the construct “use of mathematics” in two ways: First, we analyze in depth how it can be utilized to describe different groups of adults. Second, we investigate its role as predictor of mathematical competence and mediator of other relevant background variables. Results show that three groups of adults can be distinguished that use mathematics differently in daily and working life. However, the construct can sensibly be described as unidimensional. In a path model, “use of mathematics” turns out to be the strongest predictor of mathematical competence. In addition, it mediates effects of the mathematical requirements of the job, duration of education, and gender.
KW - Empirical education research
KW - Adults
KW - Mathematical competence
KW - Mathematical literacy
KW - Mathematical requirements of the job
KW - Use of mathematics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84941358641&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10763-015-9670-1
DO - 10.1007/s10763-015-9670-1
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 15
SP - 155
EP - 174
JO - International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education
JF - International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education
SN - 1571-0068
IS - 1
ER -