Undergraduate students' inconsistent routines when engaging in statistical reasoning concerning mode

Using the commognitive construct of routine—repetitive rules or patterns observed in statistical discourse—we aimed to investigate how students use inconsistent routines when engaging in statistical reasoning about mode in the context of comparing modes across several data groups. The study data was collected by distributing mode-related questions to students through a Google Form, followed by interviews. Four mode-related questions were given to 43 undergraduate students participating in the study. The results showed that routine plays a significant role in statistical reasoning. The study identified two factors that contributed to the occurrence of inconsistent routines among students: (a) the way students described the data display and (b) the disconnection between routine and endorsed narrative. The results of this research highlight the importance of providing students with opportunities to work with diverse forms and conditions of data associated with mode.