Confirmatory Model to Measure Attitude towards Mathematics in Higher Education Students: Study Case in SLP Mexico

Abstract

Despite the fact that mathematics is present and necessary in any area of daily life, students have little interest in developing mathematical skills. Hence, the aim of the study is to check whether the variables motivation, usefulness, anxiety, confidence, and liking are determining in their attitude towards mathematics. The present research is quantitative, not experimental, transversal and confirmatory. The sample was of 362 students belonging to the Multidisciplinary Academic Area Middle Zone, in the city of Rioverde, San Luis Potosí. The participating students are from the Administration (154), Public Accounting and Finance (112) and Marketing (96). The data was collected through the test designed by Auzmendi (1992) the Attitude towards Mathematics Scale (EAM), which consists of 25 items. The results indicate that although it is true that students show a positive attitude (liking), they also admit that it causes them anxiety because they do not feel confident in their mathematical ability. It is necessary to add that the student does not feel any stimulus to have an interest in the subject.