Effect of Critical Thinking Skills on Misconceptions of Students in Learning Mathematics at the Elementary School Level

The aim of mathematics education in schools is to create logical reasoning and critical thinking ability in students. These skills development not only help students understand better but can also help remove the misconceptions they have about mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study was to investigate how critical thinking skills can help address misconceptions in mathematics learning at the elementary level. The research used an A-B-A design to determine the effects of an intervention, which is a perfect design for this purpose. 35 eighth-grade students who were enrolled in the current academic year were participants in this study. Three researcher-developed tools facilitated data collection. The first and initial tool was called the Test of Critical Thinking Skills (ToCTS), which measured students' critical thinking math skills. The second tool, the Test of Misconceptions (ToM), was developed to identify specifically how the students thought they were solving the problems. Finally, an interview protocol was used to learn about the students' reasoning regarding their answers on the tests. The mathematics curriculum of grades three to eight formed the basis of the development of these instruments, both close-ended and open-ended questions. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in data analysis, and qualitative content from the interviews was applied to thematic analysis. A poor level of critical thinking skills in factoring equations and selecting proper solving methods for linear equations was shown by students. In addition, students had difficulty solving complete mathematical problems with linear equations. A significant gap was identified in their understanding and application of the BODMAS rule during algebraic operations. Based on these findings, the study recommended fostering critical thinking skills to improve students' abilities in factoring equations. Teachers should provide clear and comprehensive guidance to help students solve mathematical problems effectively. To address misconceptions, educators could introduce simplified problem-solving methods and reinforce students’ understanding of fundamental operations and rules. Specifically, it is essential to provide targeted instruction on the application of the BODMAS rule in algebraic contexts to enhance students' problem-solving capabilities.