Relations between operational chemistry and physics problems solving skills and mathematics literacy self-efficacy of engineering faculty students

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study the connections between operational chemistry and physics problems solving skills and Mathematics Literacy Self-Efficacy of Engineering Faculty students. This research is designed as relational scanning model. The sample of this study, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering senior students taking "General Chemistry" and "General Physics" course has formed. In the study; "Mathematics usage scale in Operational Chemistry and Physics Problems" (MUSOPCP) with two factors which is developed by Ozsoy-Gunes, Derelioglu&Kirbaslar (2011) and Mathematical Literacy Self efficacy Scale (MLSS) which is developed by Ozgen&Bindak (2008) are used as tool of data collection. As a result, between MLSS scale with "mathematics anxiety in chemistry and physics problems" factor of MUSOPCP has a negative relation and with "mathematics knowledge" factor of MUSOPCP has a positive relation. The significant differences were found between the department with "mathematics anxiety" factor score of MUSOPCP and between the gender with "mathematics knowledge" factor score of MUSOPCP. The significant differences weren't found between the gender, department and graduated secondary school with MLSS scales. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.