Assessment on Errors and Misconceptions in Solving Algebraic Word Problems among Senior Secondary Schools Students in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the errors and misconceptions in solving algebraic word problems among senior secondary schools students  in sokoto state, Nigeria. The purpose of the research was to identify the categories of  errors and explore the misconceptions made by senior secondary school students in solving algebraic word problems in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted using mixed method which is characterized  by the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by the collection and analysis of qualitative data. Data were collected from a sample of 378 Students which selected based on the total number of 32,298 SSII students in the 142 public senior secondary schools across the six education zones in the State using stratified random sampling. Two research instruments, Students Algebraic Word Problem Errors Test (SAWPET) was administered for quantitative data collection and Students Algebraic Word Problem Interview Protocol (SAWPIP) for qualitative data collection were used to gather data. The reliability coefficients of SAWPET and SAWPIP  were 0.82 and 0.86 respectively. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The major findings of this study includes: Most of the students had difficulties in understanding algebraic word problems and Most of the errors committed by students are not ordinary errors rather are misconceptions. Based on these findings it was recommended that Mathematics teachers should involved their students in activities that will aid their learning and thinking process. These will make students to be conscious of the various Algebraic word problems and improve to overcome their errors and misconceptions.