A Study of Comprehension and Stumbling in the Basics of “Descriptive Statistics”：―Through Analysis of Test Errors on “Data Analysis”―

In this study, with the aim of effectively providing education in mathematics, data science, and AI to university and technical college students and working adults, we analyzed the understanding of the basic concepts of “descriptive statistics” necessary for such education and the points where students have difficulties, using a basic skills test administered to liberal arts university students.
The results of the analysis showed that the students had a good level of understanding of questions that required them to find the mean, median and mode. However, the correct response rate for questions about variance and quartiles was low, and there were some students whose definitions were unclear.
Therefore, I think that education on descriptive statistics should include guidance on the meaning of variance and quartiles.