Gender Differences in Achievement Goals: A Bayesian Analysis

• In Event: Achievement Goal Theory: New Research and Applications

Abstract

Findings on gender differences in achievement goals have been mixed with some studies detecting statistically significant differences while others fail to detect differences. This study compares Bayesian estimation of the size of the gender differences with the traditional null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) on data from junior high school students. Findings demonstrate that Bayesian estimation is more intuitive, informative, and coherent compared to NHST, it overcomes the oft-cited structural and interpretive problems with the practice of traditional NHST, and it offers a way to achieve cumulative progress toward increasing precision in estimating gender differences in achievement goals.

Author

• Steven K Peterson, School District of Haverford Township