Content Analysis of Statistics for Mathematics Textbooks: A Comparative Study in Taiwan, China, Singapore, and USA

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and compare characteristics of course goal, contentarchitecture, and problem type of statistical materials in mathematics textbooksof elementary, junior, and senior schools in Taiwan, China, Singapore, and theUnited States. The research method adopted in this study is content analysismethod. The research results indicated that the average ratio of statisticalteaching materials was the highest in the United States and the lowest in Taiwan.Most of the statistical materials related to statistical knowledge in Taiwan andSingapore, to statistical thinking in China, and to statistical knowledge units inthe United States. This study proposes recommendations that can be used asreferences for contents and arrangement methods of textbooks, teachingactivities, and follow-up researches.