Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 6 no. 1 (2025)

Enhancing Criminology Students’ Mathematics Problem-Solving Ability Through Criminology-Based Word Problem Strategy (CBWPS)

Joy T. Mosquiter-Bentoy | Orville J Evardo Jr. | Estela C. Itaas

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

The study aimed to enhance criminology students’ mathematics prob-lem-solving abilities using a criminology-based word problem strategy (CBWPS) and to explore their experiences and coping mechanisms with this approach. Employing a mixed-method explanatory sequential design, the quantitative phase utilized a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest framework with 38 participants, while the qualitative phase involved phenomenological in-depth interviews with 10 stu-dents. Results revealed a significant improvement in students' prob-lem-solving skills, with a marked increase in post-test scores compared to pre-test results (mean gain: 8.11, p<0.05). The intervention fostered critical thinking and engagement by contextualizing mathematical con-cepts in criminology scenarios, making learning more relevant. How-ever, students faced challenges such as unfamiliar terminologies and difficulties with complex calculations. They coped by analyzing prob-lems carefully and drawing motivation from their aspirations. The study recommends training mathematics educators in implementing CBWPS and integrating such strategies into criminology curricula to enhance analytical skills and professional preparedness.



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