Mathematical Thinking Style as a Determinant of Mathematical Creativity of STEM Students
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Abstract
This study examined the influence of sex and mathematical thinking styles on the mathematical creativity among STEM students, particularly in the Philippine context. Guided by the mental self-government theory, this study sought to examine how sex and mathematical thinking styles predict students’ mathematical creativity. Using correlational design, a total of 100 respondents participated in the study and employed stratified simple random sampling in the selection of the respondents. Data were collected using a contextualized instrument adapted from published international research, with face and content validity established through expert validation and pilot testing. Multiple linear regression with dummy coding for sex was used for analysis. The findings of the study revealed that mathematical thinking style is a significant predictor of mathematical creativity of STEM students, but not sex. For every unit increase in mathematical thinking style, there is a corresponding increase in the mathematical creativity of students. It was also revealed in the study that there is no difference in mathematical creativity between male and female students.
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