That Old Devil Called ‘Statistics’: Statistics Anxiety in University Students and Related Factors

Oct 15, 2026

The study examines how statistics anxiety (SA) among university students relates to trait anxiety, attitudes toward mathematics and statistics, and academic achievement. It surveys 512 University of Ljubljana students who had at least one statistics-related course using STARS, a state-trait anxiety inventory, and attitude/perception questions. Results show generally below-average STARS scores except midpoint test and class anxiety, with higher SA in females and in students perceiving statistics as a threat. SA subscales correlate positively with trait anxiety, while earlier math engagement links to lower worth and weaker computation self-concept.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Study focus and research questions

Measures and participants

Key findings

Implications

doi: 10.26529/cepsj.826 That Old Devil Called ‘Statistics’: Statistics Anxiety in University Students and Related Factors Melita Puklek Levpušček*1 and Maja Cukon2 • The present study investigated relationships between statistics anxiety (SA), trait anxiety, attitudes towards mathematics and statistics, and academic achievement among university students who had at least one study course related to statistics in their study programme. Five hundred and twelve students from the University of Ljubljana completed the Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and answered questions about their perceptions of mathematics and statistics. The results showed below-average mean scores on the STARS dimensions, except for the Test and Class Anxiety with the average score around the midpoint of the scale. Female students reported higher levels of SA than male students did. The highest levels of SA were reported by students who perceived mathematics and statistics as a threat. The subscales ofthe STARS correlated positively with students’ trait anxiety. Students who reported less enjoyment in mathematics in high school perceived statistics to be a less worthy subject and had a lower computation self-concept. Students who had better mathematics performance in high school and higher average study grades also reported a higher computation self-concept. In the present study, we translated the STARS questionnaire into Slovenian and confirmed the six-factor structure of the questionnaire. The results provide a basis for further research on statistics anxiety and further validation of the STARS questionnaire. The results can also aid statistics teachers in better understanding students’ worries, fears, and attitudes towards statistics and in learning about the factors that affect students’ statistics anxiety and their work in the course. Keywords: statistics anxiety, trait anxiety, attitudes towards mathematics and statistics, university students 1 *Corresponding Author. Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; [Melita.Puklek@ff.uni-lj.si](Melita.Puklek@ff.uni-lj.si). 2 Upper Secondary School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Technical Gymnasium Ljubljana, Slovenia. 148 that old devil called‘statistics’: statistics anxiety in university students and ... Statistična anksioznost pri študentih in povezani dejavniki Melita Puklek Levpušček in Maja Cukon • V raziskavi smo preučevali odnos med statistično anksioznostjo (SA), anksioznostjo kot potezo, stališči do matematike in statistike ter študijsko uspešnostjo pri študentih, ki so imeli v svojem študijskem programu vsaj en statistični predmet. 512 študentov Univerze v Ljubljanije izpolnjevalo vprašalnik za merjenje statistične anksioznosti (STARS) in lestvico anksioznosti (STAI-X2) ter odgovarjalo na vprašanja o doživljanju matematike in statistike. Rezultati so pokazali, da je bilo pet dimenzij statistične anksioznosti izraženih pod povprečjem, dimenzija testna anksioznost in anksioznost v razredu pa je bila povprečno izražena. Študentke so poročale o več statistične anksioznosti kot študenti. O najvišji statistični anksioznosti so poročali študenti, ki so doživljali matematiko in statistiko kot grožnjo. Dimenzije STARS so bile pozitivno povezane z anksioznostjo kot potezo pri študentih. Študenti, ki sobili manj navdušeni nad matematiko v srednji šoli, so poročali o nižjivrednosti statistike in imeli nižjo samopodobo na področju računskihsposobnosti. Študenti z višjo zaključno oceno pri matematiki v srednji šoli in višjo povprečno študijsko oceno so imeli višjo samopodobo na področju računskih sposobnosti. V raziskavi smo prevedli vprašalnik STARS in potrdili 6-faktorsko strukturo vprašalnika. Rezultati predstavljajo izhodišče za nadaljnje raziskovanje statistične anksioznosti in nadaljnje validacije vprašalnika. Učiteljem statistike lahko pomagajo pri boljšem razumevanju strahov in skrbi študentov, njihovih stališč do statistik

FAQs

What factors are examined in relation to statistics anxiety?

The study analyzes relationships between statistics anxiety, trait anxiety, attitudes toward mathematics and statistics, and academic achievement.

How were statistics anxiety and anxiety-related variables measured?

Participants completed STARS, a state-trait anxiety inventory, and questions about their perceptions of mathematics and statistics.

Which students reported the highest levels of statistics anxiety?

Students who perceived mathematics and statistics as a threat reported the highest levels of statistics anxiety.

Oct 15, 2026

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