University students’ mathematical connections in problem-solving on frequency distribution tables: A new view of connections in statistics education
Camilo Andrés Rodríguez-Nieto 1 * , Alonso Barrera-Pacheco 1 , Benilda María Cantillo-Rudas 2 , Marlene Ballestas Rodríguez 2 , Vicenç Font Moll 3 , Danilo Díaz-Levicoy 4 , Flor Monserrat Rodríguez-Vásquez 5
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1 Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, COLOMBIA2 Institución Universitaria de Barranquilla, Barranquilla, COLOMBIA3 Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN4 Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, CHILE5 Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, MEXICO* Corresponding Author

Abstract

The article explores the mathematical connections activated by Colombian university students when solving a problem involving the construction of frequency distribution tables. This study arose because the literature and teaching experience reveal difficulties in statistics in finding the range and determining the number and size of classes, which are essential aspects for creating frequency tables with grouped data. Grounded in the networking between the extended theory of connections, the onto-semiotic approach, and levels of table reading, A qualitative methodology was implemented with 28 students who completed the task and actively participated in the class. The findings reveal that students activated mainly procedural, part-whole, implication, and different representation connections to construct grouped frequency tables, progressing from data organization to statistical interpretation. These connections supported the articulation of mathematical practices, primary objects, and semiotic functions, evidencing a structured but predominantly procedural understanding. However, students’ comprehension was largely situated at level 1 and level 2 (reading the data and reading within the data), with limited evidence of higher-order reasoning such as inference or critical analysis. Only a small proportion of responses reached level 3, and no evidence of level 4 was identified. These results indicate that, although students successfully complete statistical procedures, their understanding remains incipient. This highlights the need for instructional approaches that foster deeper reasoning and critical statistical literacy through the activation of meaningful mathematical connections.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 22, Issue 7, July 2026, Article No: em2865

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18847

Publication date: 24 Jun 2026

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