Gender-Related Differences of Malaysian Students in Their Solution Processes of Solving Mathematical Problems

Abstract

This study examined the gender differences of Malaysian students in their solution processes of solving routine and non routine mathematical problems. A total of 289 sixth grade Chinese and 341 sixth grade Malay students participated in the study. The Chinese sample consisted of 144 female and 145 male students, and the Malay sample consisted of 165 female and 176 male students. A set of 31 routine items, and 5 non routine problems was developed. Results of the study showed that: There is no significant gender differences on solving routine problems for both Malay and Chinese samples. None of routine items revealed DIF. There is no significant gender differences on solving non routine problems for both Malay and Chinese samples. There is no significant gender differences on the strategies of solving non routine problems for both Malay and Chinese samples. A qualitative analysis of student responses to routine and non routine problems showed that male and female students exhibit similar errors and similar solution strategies of solving routine and non routine problems.

Keywords: execution, integration, nonroutine problems, planning, routine problems, translation