Abstract

Individuals who are 50 years or older are the largest growing demographic among adult learners. However, we still are in the initial stages of investigating their attitudes and anxieties regarding specific areas of study. The current study explored differences between 92 younger (26–49 years) and older (50+ years) nontraditional-aged, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students’ attitudes and anxieties regarding statistics and research. The Attitudes Toward Research (ATR) and Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS) scales were completed via an online survey. Younger nontraditional-aged students generally expressed significantly higher anxiety and more negative beliefs regarding both statistics and research than their older counterparts. Differences were not explained by level of study nor by related experience. Results are discussed in relation to further consideration of student- and cohort-centered applications of andragogical and heutagogical principles for targeted educational practices.

摘要

50 岁或 50 岁以上的人是成人学习者中增长最多的人群。然而，我们仍处于调查他们对特定研究领域的态度和焦虑的初始阶段。目前的研究探讨了 92 名年轻（​​26-49 岁）和年长（50 岁以上）非传统年龄、攻读学位的本科生和研究生在统计和研究方面的态度和焦虑之间的差异。研究态度 (ATR) 和统计焦虑评定量表 (STARS) 量表是通过在线调查完成的。与年长的学生相比，较年轻的非传统年龄学生通常在统计和研究方面表现出明显更高的焦虑和更多的负面信念。研究水平或相关经验无法解释差异。