Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Mathematics

Abstract

The current study sought to evaluate the effects of timed tests and math anxiety as factors that influence the math performance of second- and fourth-grade students, including evaluating differences based on gender. Relevant literature was reviewed, examining the concept of math anxiety and the effects of timed testing. In the experimental phase, students participated in an age-appropriate math test in either a timed or untimed condition. Each participant also responded to the Childrens Anxiety in Math Scale (Jameson, 2013). Initial results from a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a main effect for gender on math performance, with males performing better. A separate ANOVA indicated a two-way interaction between grade and testing condition, confirming the original hypothesis that fourth-graders would perform better than second-graders in the timed condition. No differences were found between the math anxiety scores of males and females. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

Share

COinS