Mathematics discipline-specific personal epistemology of Thai University students : cultural influence on mathematics-related beliefs.
Issued Date
2007
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Suggested Citation
Fujiwara, Takayoshi (2007). Mathematics discipline-specific personal epistemology of Thai University students : cultural influence on mathematics-related beliefs.. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/35012
Title
Mathematics discipline-specific personal epistemology of Thai University students : cultural influence on mathematics-related beliefs.
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was (a) to investigate the nature of
beliefs about mathematics and mathematical problem solving of Thai university
students and (b) to examine whether these beliefs are significantly different
among students with different cultural and educational backgrounds,
mathematics achievements, and subject majors.
Methods: A questionnaire, adapted from the Indiana Mathematics Belief Scales
combined with the Fennema-Sherman Usefulness Scale (Kloosterman & Stage,
1992), was administered to 160 Thai undergraduate students who were taking
one of the compulsory mathematics courses at a Thai university. The
participants were asked to indicate how they agree or disagree to 36 statements
on mathematics and mathematics problem solving.
Results: Scale reliability analyses indicated similar results as the other studies
using the same instrument, except the two dimensions about word problems.
Students graduated from different types of secondary schools differed only at
one belief dimension regarding the effectiveness of individuals’ efforts in
increasing mathematical ability. Students varying in previous mathematics
achievements and subject majors were significantly different only at one belief
dimension about the usefulness of mathematics. Higher achievers and science
majors appreciated mathematics more favorably.
Conclusions: This research demonstrated the reliability of the measurement
instrument and its potential applicability to non-Western population such as
Thai. The mathematics-related beliefs were likely to be shared among Thai
university students, regardless of their different secondary educational type,
except the aspect regarding individuals’ efforts.
Description
The HERDSA 2007 International Conference : Enhancing Higher Education, Theory and Scholarship, Australia. July 8-11, 2007