Comparison of Basic Mathematic Skills between Students with Different Studying Approaches

The purpose of this research was to compare basic mathematic skills based on the students studying approaches. In order to carry out this study, a sample of 139 students in the second (spring) semester of 2009 academic year studying in Ahwaz university were chosen through a cluster method at random. Approaches Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) is used to measure the student studying approaches. Based on Bayesian information criterion (BIC) regarding ASSIST scale, the students are classified into three groups. By two-step cluster method analysis the students are classified as strategic, surface and deep studying approaches. The findings of one-way (ANOVA) show that students’ mathematic basic skills were significantly different among students who adopted different studying approaches viz-a-viz strategis, surface and deep approach. LSD post hoc test indicated that the students with the deep studying approach have higher basic mathematical skills in comparison with that of students with surface and strategic studying approaches.