title: Achievement in chemistry problem-solving as a function of the mobility-fixity dimension.
abstract: The present studies explored the relation between students' achievement in chemistry problem-solving and the Mobility-Fixity dimension. Fixity characterizes consistency of function of field-independent subjects in a field-independent fashion, while Mobility provides for variation according to circumstances. The effect of this cognitive variable was examined as a function of the type and the complexity of the problem. Two kinds of problems were used, chemical equilibrium problems with varying mental demand and logical structure, and organic synthesis problems with varying mental demand. The subjects had to carry out different mental tasks, such as manipulation of logical schemata, applying algorithmic procedures, solving nonalgorithmic problems. In all cases, Mobile subjects demonstrated higher achievement than Fixed subjects. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Mobility-Fixity dimension can serve as a predictor variable of students' performance on chemistry problem-solving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stamovlasis
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kousathana
authors.forename: Vasileios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Angelopoulos
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsaparlis
authors.forename: Mansoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002621:Chemistry / Q000193:education*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving