Quantitative Techniques is traditionally a subject with a poor pass rate at Walter Sisulu
University. In search of a turnaround strategy, the purpose of this study was to determine the
level of problem-solving proficiency of Quantitative Techniques students, which is suspected
to influence achievement in this subject. A descriptive survey design was used in this
research. Second-year ND (Marketing) students (128) took part in the study. A questionnaire
and a written test were used to collect data. A profile of participants’ problem-solving was
determined. Their weaknesses and strengths in problem-solving were investigated. The
problem-solving proficiency of participants with regards to the biographical variables of
Gender, Age, Mathematics background and whether they took Data Handling training at
school or not were explored.
A model, based on Polya’s four stages of problem-solving, was used to measure the students’
level of problem-solving proficiency, which was 59,16%. Findings suggest that the students
achieved highest in understanding a problem (72,29%) and making a plan to solve the
problem (73,77%). They are weakest at interpreting their results (29,38%). MANOVA results
showed no statistical significance for the biographical variables. The univariate results
suggest that age, Data Handling training at school and Gender could affect problem-solving
proficiency. Since the findings of this study indicate a strong relationship between participants’ problem-solving proficiency and their actual achievement, some intervention is
recommended. An intervention could be in the form of a section on problem-solving in the
course, supplemental instruction or an introductory course. Course and curriculum content should be revised to address students’ proficiency in problem-solving. / Mathematical Sciences / M. A. (Statistics Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/14214 |
| Date | 07 1900 |
| Creators | Bester, Lynette |
| Contributors | Mogari, L. D. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiii, 166 leaves) : illustrations |
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