Module 1- Action Research Proposal_ Problem, Purpose, and Research Questions
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
American College of Education *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
5153
Subject
Mathematics
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
5
Uploaded by DeaconFlamingo4343
1
The Problem with Students’ Understanding of Mathematical Word Problems
Breanna Lilly
American College of Education
RES 5153: Research Methods
Dr. Harold Fisher
February 26, 2023
2
Introduction
A word problem is a math question that is written out and requires students to use their
math skills in a real life scenario (Colorado Department of Education, 2018). In theory it is great
to give students practice using math for situations that may come up in their lives. The reality is
many students look at word problems and see the words as a barricade to solving the problem.
Those barricades become greater when the student lacks the fundamentals of math or are unable
to come up with a plan to solve on their own (Masullo & Shelley, 2017). Students need to to
develop the ability to analyze and evaluate word problems. They could develop these abilities
through different strategies of solving those problems. Strategies and solutions found in this
research are intended to be helpful for all teachers to help their students gain a better
understanding of word problems.
Problem Statement
The problem is students' understanding of mathematical word problems. Teachers in
many classrooms see the problem of students knowing their math facts and the computation of
math but get caught up on word problems. Word problems are complicated for students because
they include many needed skills such as computational mathematics, reading skills, vocabulary,
and reading comprehension (Masullo & Shelley, 2017). Word problems also require higher order
cognitive demands than computational mathematics. The cognitive demands of solving word
problems are similar to the cognitive demands of writing an expository essay (Burg, 2021). The
cognitive demands are so high with solving word problems because students’ “math brains” were
3
not designed for words. This causes students to not really understand what is going on in a word
problem and can lead to frustration, math anxiety, and avoidance (Choe et al., 2019).
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to find strategies that will help students have a better
understanding of mathematical word problems. As a result of students having a better
understanding of a word problem they will have a larger ability to solve the problem. Since word
problems are a representation of problems that students may encounter in their real life it will
also have an effect on their problem solving skills and success (Masullo & Shelley, 2017). This
study will determine if students having a background in mathematical vocabulary and steps to
solving a word problem will create more success for them in evaluating the problem.
Research Questions
1.
Will breaking apart the word problem improve student comprehension of it?
2.
Why would reading comprehension impact students’ ability to complete word problems?
3.
How will knowing mathematical vocabulary improve students' ability to solve a word
problem?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
Table 1: Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, and Research Questions
Problem Statement
Purpose Statement
Research Question
The problem is students'
understanding of
mathematical word problems.
The purpose of this study is to
find strategies that will help
students have a better
understanding of
mathematical word problems.
1.
Will breaking apart
the word problem
improve student
comprehension of it?
2.
Why would reading
comprehension impact
students’ ability to
complete word
problems?
3.
How will knowing
mathematical
vocabulary improve
students' ability to
solve a word
problem?
Summary
Determining the problem, purpose, and research questions has started the process of the
action based research I will be doing to find strategies to support students in solving
mathematical word problems. Problem solving is a life skill students will need to do daily
throughout their lives and word problems are a good practice with this skill. This study will
identify strategies to improve students’ understanding of word problems.
5
References
Burg, D. (2021, October 5).
25th Anniversary Special: The Problem with Word Problems – A
Research Basis Part I
. Making Math Real.
https://www.makingmathreal.org/25th-anniversary-special-the-problem-with-word-proble
ms-a-research-basis-part-i/
Choe, K., Jenifer, J., Rozek, C., Berman, M., & Beilock, S. (2019, November 20). Calculated
avoidance: Math anxiety predicts math avoidance in effort-based decision-making.
Science Advances
,
5
(11), 1. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aay1062
Colorado Department of Education. (2018, January 31).
Word Problems - Research and Practice
Guide | CDE
. Colorado Department of Education.
https://www.cde.state.co.us/comath/word-problems-guide
Masullo, C., & Shelley, A. (2017, December 6).
What's the Problem With Word Problems?
(Opinion)
. Education Week.
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-whats-the-problem-with-word-proble
ms/2017/12