Mathematics in Fashion Programs: Are Graduates Prepared for Today's Retail Market?. (13th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Enderson, Mary C.; Watson, Ginger S.; Miles, Christina G.
• Is Part Of: Family and consumer sciences research journal. Volume 49:Number 2(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2020-12-13
• Subjects: fashion marketing -- fashion merchandising -- mathematics -- testing; Home economics -- Periodicals; Home economics -- Research -- Periodicals; Families -- Periodicals; 640
• DOI: 10.1111/fcsr.12377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-727X

Abstract

Abstract : Fashion programs are no stranger to mathematics and its importance to the field. This study reports on 205 undergraduate fashion marketing and fashion merchandising students who completed a Mathematics for Industry test used to measure their mathematics abilities. New program students were compared to program completers to see if coursework had any impact on improved scores. Findings revealed no differences except for "numbers and computations" where new program students performed better than program completers. This raised questions on the ability of exiting students to operate successfully in industry and retail markets particularly in areas that have direct connections to mathematics.