Eksplorasi Hambatan Mahasiswa Dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Matematika Tidak Terstruktur

Abstract

The failure of students to solve unstructured mathematical problems is a common issue in the learning process. The purpose of this study is to explore the causes of students’ failure to solve unstructured mathematical problems. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The research subjects consisted of 47 mathematics education students, with 6 students—comprising first-, third-, and fifth-semester mathematics education students from the University of Riau Islands—serving as the primary subjects for interviews. Data collection techniques included a written test in the form of unstructured problem-solving questions, interviews, and observations. The test instrument was validated through expert validation to ensure the appropriateness of the mathematical problem-solving indicators. The data analysis in this study followed the framework of Miles and Huberman, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study indicate that first-semester students predominantly struggle at the stage of understanding and representing problems, while upper-semester students tend to have weaknesses at the stage of evaluating and reflecting on problems. Additionally, students’ failures are influenced by their continued reliance on routine problems, their tendency to use a single algorithmic solution strategy, and their failure to evaluate and reflect on the results of problem-solving.