Gender Effects of Graphics Presentation

Abstract

This study examined the effects of presentation format on performance on mathematical test items for 114 accounting students. The characteristic of gender was believed to have a moderating effect on performance on these test items. Students were assigned either a graphical or a tabular format on four sets of data. Results indicated that males performed better than females, and individuals receiving the tabular format outperformed those receiving the graphics format. Presentation format must be considered in determining appropriate mathematical testing to prevent bias due to individual differences.

Keywords:

• gender
• graphics
• mathematics