ERROR ANALYSIS IN SOLVING WORD- PROBLEM OF ALGEBRA; A CASE OF PRE-TERTIARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE ASUTIFI DISTRICT OF AHAFO REGION
ERROR ANALYSIS IN SOLVING WORD- PROBLEM OF ALGEBRA; A CASE OF PRE-TERTIARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE ASUTIFI DISTRICT OF AHAFO REGION
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Date
2020
Authors
Korkor, Sarah
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Abstract
Algebra word problems, in general, inculcate in learners the skills and ability to think
critically and to look for answers to problems in society and the world at large. Using
an explanatory sequential mixed design, the study investigated the errors made by Pre Tertiary students on Algebraic word problems in the selected school in the Asutifi North
District of the Ahafo Region of Ghana. Whereas Newman Error Analysis Model was
used to find the types of errors students make when translating and solving algebraic
word problems, protocols from topics relating to the study were carefully selected and
used as interview guide alongside with inspiration from Newman Error Analysis
Model. Quota and simple random sampling techniques were used to select ninety-eight
respondents. Algebraic Word Problem Achievement Test (AWPAT) was given to the
ninety-eight students who had studied several topics on word problems, followed by a
structured interview to elicit more information from the respondents. The scores gained
from the marked test items illustrated that students made more transformation errors,
which happened indirectly from lack of understanding of the concept. A careful analysis
of the written responses of the five students interviewed also revealed that, lack of
comprehension directly translated into students’ inability to transform algebraic word
problems into mathematics equations. In the same vein, the study showed that the main
cause of students’ inability to translate and solve algebraic word problems was students’
lack of understanding of the concept “word problem” among others. The study
recommends that students should be motivated in the form of encouragements and
praises to arouse their interest in translating and solving algebraic word problems.