Investigation of the relationship between computational and measurement estimated skills and perceptions of self-efficiency of 7th and 8th grade students

The aim of this study is to determine the operational and measurement estimation skill levels of secondary school students and to examine the relationship of these skills with their mathematics self-efficacy perceptions. In the study, the case study design was used to determine the estimation skill levels and mathematics self-efficacy perceptions of the students, and the correlational design was used to examine the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy perceptions and estimation skills. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with some students in order to describe the prediction strategies used by the students in more depth. The sample of the study consists of 83 students selected by convenient sampling method from 7th and 8th grade students studying in secondary schools affiliated to MEB in the Inebolu district of Kastamonu province in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the study, Mathematics Self-Efficacy Perception Scale and Operational-Measurement Estimation Skill Test prepared by the researcher were used as data collection tools. Statistical tests determined according to the problem situation were used in the analysis of the quantitative data obtained as a result of the research, and the descriptive analysis method was used in the analysis of the qualitative data. According to the results obtained, it was seen that the students' procedural estimation skills were good and their measurement estimation skills were low. There was no significant difference between operational and measurement estimation skills according to grade level. It was concluded that there is a moderate relationship between students' mathematics self-efficacy perceptions and their estimation skills.