Nueva evidencia sobre la statistical anxiety scale (SAS)

Abstract

As anxiety is negatively related to academic performance, and it is broadly known the existence of both anxiety towards statistics and nega-tive statistics results, statistical anxiety may play a role of mediating negative outcomes in this subject. In this context, the Statistical Anxiety Scale (Vigil-Colet, Lorenzo-Seva, & Condon, 2008) aims to be a useful tool in the comparison of the predictive power of specific and general measures of statistics performance. In order to achieve this goal, the scale is based on three dimensions of anxiety, referred to three specific issues: regarding the exam, when asking for help or advice in statistics understanding and during the process of results interpretation. This three-factor structure was found in the scale first validation, in a sample composed by Italian and Spanish students. The aim of the current study is to add new evidence on the relia-bility and validity of the scale, using robust statistical techniques for the re-liability study, and extending the validity of the study regarding its main cri-teria: academic performance, as it shouldn't be considered as synonymous of self-efficacy. © 2013: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia.