Problem solving skills and influential factors in high school students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine, problem solving skills of 9,10,11. class of students from 12 high school of Erzincan province.

Material and Methods: The universe of this descriptive and cross-sectional study comprised a total of 4962 students who attended the above mentioned schools and the sampling comprised 911 students (18% of the universe) randomly chosen among them. The data were collected in April 2007 through a descriptive form designed and Problem Solving Inventory by the investigators and were evaluated using percentage calculations, variance analyze, t test and Kruskal Wallis test.

Results: The average age of students participating in research was found to be 16.30±1.19. 53.1% of student girls, 38.5% were ninth class, mothers of 49.6% and fathers of 31.6% were graduated from primary school. While the mothers of  92.8% of students were housewife, fathers of 31.0% of them were officer. 45.1% of students’ family income was found to be in the good level. It was found that 55.4% of students’ school achievement was found to be well. Problem Solving Skills (PSS) scores of students were found to be close to the level of good (89.91±19.77). The significant diffrence was found between PSS levels and some paremeters which were the gender, class of students and their fathers’ occupation status and education levels, to feel alone himself/herself, the situation of self confidence, the stuation of using alcoler or cigarette of students (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001).

Conclusion: In this study, it has been identified that students in general, closer to middle level problem solving skills. Problem solving skills are cognitive skills which can be learned and progressed. Be cause of this, it maybe suggested that this skill can be developed by focusing on problem-based learning with student-centered approach in every field of training.