Identifier	Thesis 2096
Author	Nelson, Eric Michael, 1983-
Title	Big six personality traits and student performance in freshman mathematics
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date of Publication	2010
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Abstract	The purpose of this study is to determine if a personality test combined with a mathematics placement test can be used to identify students that may need additional interventions as early in the school year as possible. The school in which this study is being conducted has created a course called Delta Mathematics as a resource for struggling students. Students’ scores on a placement test are not always accurate as scores can vary from day to day and many factors can affect a particular score. This study determined the personality characteristics that can accurately and significantly predict success in the students’ mathematics class. Success is defined by the researcher as receiving a semester grade of a 69.5 or higher. Each student was asked to take a fifteen-minute survey, in which they rated themselves using thirty-one adjectives. The mean of the six personality traits was calculated, and the 298 students’ grades were obtained through the school ID number. To maintain anonymity, students’ names were not linked with their grades or personality. Students’ grades are matched with their personality traits and the results are statistically analyzed to determine the personality traits that correlate with mathematics grade average, and also to determine the differences in personality between successful and unsuccessful students. To ascertain the personality traits that influence students’ semester mathematics grades, a stepwise regression test was run. The results indicated conscientiousness and openness to experience positively influenced students’ semester mathematics grade average, while students’ agency and extraversion has a negative correlation. These four personality traits influence students’ mathematics grade, but not all four separate successful students from unsuccessful students. Multiple Analysis of Variance tests were run to determine the personality differences between successful and unsuccessful students within each course. In honors Geometry (n = 47), successful and unsuccessful students did not differ in any personality traits; likely do to the small sample of students. Students who are successful in college preparatory Algebra 1 (n = 131) scored significantly higher in conscientiousness and lower in the area of agency. Successful students in basic Pre-Algebra (n = 118) only scored higher in conscientiousness. The mean score for each significantly different personality trait was determined and used as the benchmarks for a successful or unsuccessful personality characteristic. These personality scores, along with the students’ placement test score, are used to decide if a student needs additional resources, or if the student is placed in the inappropriate course and needs to be moved up or down a level.
Subject	Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Personality and academic achievement Prediction of scholastic success
Department	Department of Mathematical Sciences
Advisor	Gould, S. Louise
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	696132571
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Big six personality traits and student performance in freshman mathematics

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