This study aimed to develop and validate the Creative Problem-Solving Skills Test (CPSS-T), grounded in Torrance's creativity theory, to assess these skills in university students. The CPSS-T consists of five open-ended question types, each designed to measure different aspects of creative problem-solving: Alternative Use, Hypothetical Scenario,…

Combinatorial proofs of binomial identities involve establishing an identity by arguing that each side enumerates a certain set of outcomes. In this paper, we share results from interviews with experienced provers (mathematicians and upper-division undergraduate mathematics students) and examine one particular aspect of combinatorial proof, namely…

There is a clear need for highly competent health sciences experts. No instrument currently exists for assessing the generic competences of health sciences students. The aim of this study is to develop and psychometrically test the Health sciences Generic Competence (HealthGenericCom) instrument. The instrument development four step process has…

Background/purpose: The application of learning models is expected to significantly promote the enhancement of students' problem-solving abilities through the development of interactive learning models. This study aims to (1) determine whether the Development of the Component Display Theory (CDT) Model is categorized as valid, practical, and…

The literature on proof by contradiction (PBC) is nearly unanimous in claiming that this proof technique is "more difficult" for students than direct proof, and offers multiple hypotheses as to why this might be the case. To examine this claim and to evaluate some of the hypotheses, we analyzed student work on proof construction problems…

We present a validation study of fifteen new math anxiety scale items designed to augment the widely-used Revised Mathematics Anxiety Scale (RMARS). While the RMARS and other standard instruments measure students' anxiety in response to computation, test situations, and math course activities such as buying a textbook or watching a lecture, the…

We present an investigation of the infinite sequences of numbers formed by calculating the pairwise averages of three given numbers. The problem has an interesting geometric interpretation related to the sequence of triangles with equal perimeters which tend to an equilateral triangle. Investigative activities of the problem are carried out in…

Undergraduate students are expected to produce and comprehend constructive existence proofs; yet, these proofs are notoriously difficult for students. This study investigates students' thinking about these proofs by asking students to validate two arguments for the existence of a mathematical object. The first argument featured a common structural…

This study aimed to analyze second-semester organic chemistry students' problem-solving strategies, specifically focusing on the resources activated while solving problems on E2, E1, and E1cB elimination reactions. Using the theoretical framework by Elby and Hammer, we defined a resource as a unit of information used in the problem-solving…

In this paper, we explore the role that examples play as mathematicians formulate conjectures, and we describe and exemplify one particular example-related activity that we observed in interviews with thirteen mathematicians. During our interviews, mathematicians productively used examples as they formulated conjectures, particularly by creating…

This study aims to determine the proof schemes used by primary education teacher candidates when solving a given problem and in their instructional explanations. Having a qualitative nature, the study utilized data collected from 277 third-year teacher candidates studying at the primary education department of the education faculty of a state…

The aim of this study is to characterize ways of reasoning and arguing that first year university mathematics students exhibit in problem-solving activities from a course that emphasizes the importance of formulating conjectures and the search for different ways to support or validate them. The use of a Dynamic Geometry System in the…

Teachers have difficulty integrating proof in their mathematics instruction due to both narrow beliefs about proofs and limited understanding of proofs. Indirect proofs seem to be a particular cause for concern. In this exploratory study, we contribute to the research area by reporting on an empirical study of Norwegian pre-service teachers'…

Resilience is a critical personality trait that allows one to deal with difficulties, learn from failures, and maintain a positive attitude during task performance. However, it has not been understudied in a complex and challenging educational domain. The current research intends to address this gap by analyzing the specific characteristics of…

Undergraduate students' choices and success in their career and life is influenced by their mathematics achievement and perception of themselves in life. Conceptual understanding of topics in undergraduate mathematics such as quantitative reasoning can be difficult for students with less sophisticated multiplicative reasoning than others. This…