PANOY, SHEM G.

“ Mathematics Problem Solving Skills and Lived Experiences of the

Students”, Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Talisay
City, Negros Occidental, August 2020.

Abstract

This mixed-method study employed with descriptive and phenomenological research

designs aimed to determine the mathematics word problem solving skills and the lived
experiences of the Grade 10 students specifically in the topics principles of counting
techniques, permutations, combinations, and probability. The participants of the study for
the quantitative data, were the thirty four (34) Grade 10 students in one of the national
high schools in the Division of Cadiz City. The top 3 and bottom 3 students who got the
highest and lowest scores on the 8-item validated and reliability tested instrument by
experts and students who were not included in the study respectively, were selected as
actual participants for the qualitative data. Interview and journal writing about open-
ended questions were used to determine the lived experiences in mathematics word
problem solving of the participants. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze
the descriptive data while thematic analysis of Creswell for the qualitative data generated
themes and eidetic insights. For the descriptive data, the level of problem solving skills of
the Grade 10 students in Mathematics specifically in the topics of fundamental principles
of counting, permutation, combination and probability as a whole revealed was
beginning, same is true in counting techniques combination, and probability, while
developing in the permutation topic. Eidetic insights were derived from the themes
created based on the benefits (Solving Mathematics Word Problems can be Useful in the
Future , Solving Mathematics Word Problems Matters in Everyday Life and Solving
Mathematics Word Problems can be Utilized in Business), weaknesses (Failure to
Remember Formula , Students’ Personal Circumstances, and Ability to Grasp
Mathematics Word Problems), challenges (Cognition Plays A Vital Role In Solving
Mathematics Word Problems), and opportunities (The Ability to Solve Mathematics
Word Problems may be Helpful to Others, and Solving Mathematics Word Problems may
be Useful in the Future) of the Grade 10 Students in solving word problems in
mathematics. The final eidetic insight that captured all the eidetic insights was Solving
Mathematics Word Problems is Challenging but can be very Beneficial when given
Utmost Importance. Along this line, it is therefore recommended that mathematics
teachers with the support of the school administrator are encouraged to create an effective
program strategies that enhanced mathematics problem solving skills of the students.