Divergence of Scientific Heuristic Method and Direct Algebraic Instruction

Abstract

This is an experimental study, made used of the non-randomized experimental and control groups, pretest-posttest designs. The experimental and control groups were two separate intact classes in Algebra. For a period of twelve sessions, the experimental group was subjected to the scientific heuristic method, but the control group instead was given direct instruction on selected topics of Algebra. Using a non-parametric statistical test, particularly the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test, results showed that students in the experimental group performed significantly better than the control group in the post-test. On the other hand, the Fisher’s Exact Probability Test yielded very statistically significant different proportions in the post-test scores between the experimental and control group. It is highly recommended that integration of scientific heuristic method in teaching mathematics is essential.

Keywords: scientific heuristic, direct instruction