An exploratory study on students' problem-solving ability in earth science

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the interrelationship between students' problem-solving ability and their science-process skills in the area of earth science. Participants were 195 earth science students enrolled in four science classes at four senior high schools in Taipei City and the County of Taiwan. Statistical analyses indicated that a significantly moderate correlation existed between students' problem-solving ability and their science process skills. Results of t-test also revealed that there were significant mean differences in students' skills of observation, data interpretation, and hypothesis formulation between higher-level and lower-level problem solvers. Semi-structured interviews revealed that the higher-level problem solver performed better on the problem-solving processes than the lower-level problem solver.