Examining the effect of mathematical reasoning skills on problem solving skills in elementary 4th students'

This study aimed to examine the effects of reasoning skills of 4th grade primary school students on problem solving skills. The research was designed using the relational survey model, and the sample consisted of a total of 373 primary school 4th grade students studying in 3 public schools in Bursa using the cluster sampling method. Reasoning skills were measured with the Primary School Reasoning Skills Scale developed by the researchers. The reasoning skills scale consists of 5 factors: making predictions, discovering patterns, establishing relationships between mathematical knowledge and ideas, making inferences and verifying. Item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed for the validity of the scale. The reliability coefficient of the reasoning skills scale was calculated as .84. Problem solving skill consists of 10 verbal problems that require the use of strategy in solving, developed by Ulu (2016). Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression. As a result of the research, it was seen that reasoning skills explained 39% of the variance in problem solving skills. It has been observed that the reasoning skills that contribute to the problem-solving variance are making predictions, discovering patterns, and making inferences; It has been observed that the factors of establishing and verifying relationships between mathematical knowledge and ideas do not statistically significantly predict problem solving skills. It has been observed that the problem-solving strategies used by students have an effect on the distinction between students with high and low mathematical reasoning skills. It is expected that the results of this research will contribute to teachers taking the necessary precautions to improve students' achievements and to increase studies on fourth grade students' mathematical reasoning skills. In addition, the developed mathematical reasoning skill test is important in terms of being a resource that teachers can use and contributing to the literature.