The effect of a pre-university mathematics bridging course on adult learners’ self-efficacy and retention rates in STEM subjects

References

• Aontas. 2012. “ How Many People are Participating in Adult Education?” [Online] http://www.aontas.com/blog/2012/08/28/how-many-people-are-participating-in-adult-educati/.
   Google Scholar
• Astin, A., and L. Oseguera. 2005. Degree Attainment Rates at American Colleges and Universities. Los Angeles, CA: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.
   Google Scholar
• Bandura, A. 1997. Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: W. H. Freeman.
   Google Scholar
• Benn, R., and R. Burton. 1994. “Participation and the Mathematics Deterrent.” Studies in the Education of Adults 26 (2): 236–249. doi: 10.1080/02660830.1994.11730608
   Google Scholar
• Betz, N. E., and G. Hackett. 1993. Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale Manual, Instrument and Scoring Guide. Redwood City, CA: Mind Garden.
   Google Scholar
• Burton, L. 1987. “From Failure to Success: Changing the Experience of Adult Learners of Mathematics.” Educational Studies in Mathematics 18 (3): 305–316. doi: 10.1007/BF00386200
   Google Scholar
• Cobbin, D. M., and J. P. Gotstlelow. 1993. 1994 National Register of Higher Education Preparatory Programs and Special Admission Schemes. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.
   Google Scholar
• Croft, A. C., M. C. Harrison, and C. L. Robinson. 2009. “Recruitment and Retention of Students – An Integrated and Holistic Vision of Mathematics Support.” International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology 40 (1): 109–125. doi: 10.1080/00207390802542395
   Google Scholar
• Cuthbert, R. H., and H. L. MacGillivray. 2003. “Investigating Weaknesses in the Underpinning Mathematical Confidence of First Year Engineering Students.” Proceedings of the Australasian engineering education conference, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 358–368.
   Google Scholar
• Dowling, D. M. 1978. “ The Development of a Mathematics Confidence Scale and its Application in the Study of Confidence in Women College Students.” PhD diss., Ohio State University.
   Google Scholar
• Dutton, W. H., and A. Dutton. 1991. Mathematics Children Use and Understand: Preschool through Third Grade. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
   Google Scholar
• EGFSN. 2008. “ Statement on Raising National Mathematical Achievement.” [Online] http://www.skillsireland.ie/media/egfsn090616_statement_on_activity.
   Google Scholar
• Engineers Ireland. 2010. Report of Task Force on Education of Mathematics and Science at Second Level. [Online] http://webpages.dcu.ie/~bradysa/CASTEL_report_uploads/20100211-Mathematics_and_Science_at_Second_Level.pdf.
   Google Scholar
• Faulkner, F., O. Gill, and A. Hannigan. 2010. “Trends in the Mathematical Competency of University Entrants in Ireland by Leaving Certificate Mathematics Grade.” Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications 29 (2): 76–93. doi: 10.1093/teamat/hrq002
   Google Scholar
• Faulkner, F., A. Hannigan, and O. Gill. 2011. “The Changing Profile of Third Level Service Mathematics in Ireland and its Implications for the Provision of Mathematics Education (1998–2010).” Proceedings of the 7th conference of European researchers in mathematics education, University of Rzeszów, Poland, 1992–2001.
   Google Scholar
• Gill, O. 2006. “What Counts as Service Mathematics: An Investigation into the ‘Mathematics Problem’ in Ireland.” PhD diss., University of Limerick.
   Google Scholar
• Gill, O. 2010. “Evaluating the Impact of a Refresher Course in Mathematics on Adult Learners.” Proceedings of the 17th international conference of adults learning mathematics (ALM), Vox, Norwegian Agency for Lifelong Learning, Oslo, Norway, 37–46.
   Google Scholar
• Hackett, G., and N. E. Betz. 1989. “An Exploration of the Mathematics Self-Efficacy/Mathematics Performance Correspondence.” Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 20: 261–273. doi: 10.2307/749515
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hardin, C. J. 2008. “Adult Students in Higher Education: A Portrait of Transitions.” New Directions for Higher Education 144: 49–57. doi: 10.1002/he.325
   Google Scholar
• Hembree, R. 1990. “The Nature, Effects, and Relief of Mathematics Anxiety.” Journal of Research in Mathematics Education 21: 33–46. doi: 10.2307/749455
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• House, J. D. 2000. “Academic Background and Self-Beliefs as Predictors of Student Grade Performance in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.” International Journal of Industrial Media 27: 207–220.
   Google Scholar
• Howson, A. G., A. D. Barnard, D. G. Crighton, N. Davies, A. D. Gardiner, J. M. Jagger, D. Morris, J. C. Robson, and N. C. Steele. 1995. Tackling the Mathematics Problem. London: London Mathematical Society, The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and The Royal Statistical Society.
   Google Scholar
• Jamieson, S. 2004. “Likert Scales: How to (Ab)use Them.” Medical Education 38 (12): 1217–1218. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.02012.x
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kajander, A., and M. Lovric. 2005. “Transition from Secondary to Tertiary Mathematics – McMaster University Experience.” International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology 36 (2–3): 149–160. doi: 10.1080/00207340412317040
   Google Scholar
• Kitchen, A. 1999. “The Changing Profile of Entrants to Mathematics at A Level and to Mathematical Subjects in Higher Education.” British Educational Research Journal 25 (1): 57–74. doi: 10.1080/0141192990250105
   Google Scholar
• Klinger, C. M. 2006. “Challenging Negative Attitudes, Low Self-Efficacy Beliefs, and Math-Anxiety in Pre-Tertiary Adult Learners.” Proceedings of the 12th international conference of adults learning mathematics (ALM), Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, 164–171.
   Google Scholar
• Klinger, C. M. 2011. “‘Connectivism’: A New Paradigm for the Mathematics Anxiety Challenge?” Adult Learning Mathematics: An International Journal 6 (1): 7–19.
   Google Scholar
• Lawson, D., A. C. Croft, and M. Halpin. 2003. Good Practice in the Provision of Mathematics Support Centres. 2nd ed. [Online] http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/guides/goodpractice2E.pdf.
   Google Scholar
• Lee, S., M. Harrison, G. Pell, and C. Robinson. 2008. “Predicting Performance of First Year Engineering Students and the Importance of Assessment Tools Therein.” Engineering Education 3 (1): 44–51. doi: 10.11120/ened.2008.03010044
   Google Scholar
• McGivney, V. 1996. Staying or Leaving the Course. Non-Completion and Retention of Mature Students in Further and Higher Education. Leicester: NIACE.
   Google Scholar
• Moses, L., C. Hall, K. Wuensch, K. De Urquidi, P. Kauffmann, W. Swart, S. Duncan, and G. Dixon. 2011. “Are Math Readiness and Personality Predictive of First-Year Retention in Engineering?” Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied 145 (3): 229–245. doi: 10.1080/00223980.2011.557749
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Murtaugh, P. A., L. D. Burns, and J. Schuster. 1999. “Predicting the Retention of University Students.” Research in Higher Education 40 (3): 355–371. doi: 10.1023/A:1018755201899
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Noyes, A. 2007. “Mathematics Counts – for What? Rethinking the Mathematics Curriculum in England.” Philosophy of Mathematics Education 21.
   Google Scholar
• O’Donoghue, J. 1999. An Intervention to Assist ‘At Risk’ Students in Service Mathematics Courses at the University of Limerick. University of Limerick Teaching Fellowship Report. Limerick, Ireland: University of Limerick.
   Google Scholar
• O’Donoghue, J. 2004. “An Irish Perspective on the ‘Mathematics Problem’.” Plenary Lecture at Irish Symposium for Undergraduate Mathematics Education 2 (ISUME2). University College Dublin.
   Google Scholar
• O’Keeffe, L., J. O’Donoghue, and O. Gill. 2011. “ Should MLC’s be More Proactive?” Presentation at 5th Irish Maths Support Workshop. National University of Ireland Galway.
   Google Scholar
• Pajares, F. 1996. “Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Academic Settings.” Review of Educational Research 66 (4): 543–578. doi: 10.3102/00346543066004543
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pajares, F., and L. Graham. 1999. “Self-Efficacy, Motivation Constructs, and Mathematics Performance of Entering Middle School Students.” Contemporary Educational Psychology 24: 124–139. doi: 10.1006/ceps.1998.0991
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pajares, F., and M. D. Miller. 1994. “The Role of Self-Efficacy and Self-Concept Beliefs in Mathematical Problem-Solving: A Path Analysis.” Journal of Educational Psychology 86: 193–203. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.86.2.193
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pajares, F., and M. D. Miller. 1995. “Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Mathematics Outcomes: The Need for Specificity.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 42: 190–198. doi: 10.1037/0022-0167.42.2.190
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pajares, F., and M. D. Miller. 1997. “Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Mathematical Problem Solving: Implications of Using Different Forms of Assessment.” The Journal of Experimental Education 65 (3): 213–228. doi: 10.1080/00220973.1997.9943455
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Postle, G. D., J. R. Clarke, and D. D. Bull. 1995. “Equity Programs and Strategies Reported by the Australian Higher Education Sector.” In Towards Excellence in Diversity: Educational equity in the Australian Higher Education Sector, edited by G. D. Postle, J. R. Clarke, E. Skuja, D. D. Bull, K. Batorowicz, and H. A. McCann, 37–58. Toowoomba, QLD: USQ Press.
   Google Scholar
• Richardson, F. C., and R. M. Suinn. 1972. “The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale: Psychometric Data.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 19: 551–554. doi: 10.1037/h0033456
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Robinson, M. 2003. “Student Enrollment in High School AP Sciences and Calculus: How does it Correlate with STEM Careers?” Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society 23: 265–273. doi: 10.1177/0270467603256090
   Google Scholar
• Russel, M. 2005. “Academic Success, Failure and Withdrawal among First Year Engineering Students: Was Poor Mathematical Knowledge a Critical Factor?” Level 3 (3).
   Google Scholar
• Rylands, L. J., and C. Coady. 2009. “Performance of Students with Weak Mathematics in First-Year Mathematics and Science.” International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology 40 (6): 741–753. doi: 10.1080/00207390902914130
   Google Scholar
• Tariq, V. 2002. “A Decline in Numeracy Skills among Biosciences Undergraduates.” Journal of Biological Education 36 (2): 76–83. doi: 10.1080/00219266.2002.9655805
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Taylor, J. A., and L. Galligan. 2005. “ Research into Research on Adults in Bridging Mathematics: The Past, the Present and the Future.” Teaching and Learning Centre Papers 111.
   Google Scholar
• Tsui, L. 2007. “Effective Strategies to Increase Diversity in STEM Fields: A Review of the Research Literature.” Journal of Negro Education 76 (4): 555–581.
   Google Scholar
• Volmink, J. 1994. “Mathematics by All.” In Cultural Perspectives on the Mathematics Classroom, edited by S. Lerman, 51–67. Dordrecht: Springer.
   Google Scholar
• Woodley, A. 1987. Choosing to Learn: Adults in Education. Milton Keynes, England: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open UP.
   Google Scholar