The relationship between conceptual understanding and problem solving abilities among Universiti Teknologi Malaysia^s undergraduates KRISANTINI A/P VINAYAGAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA, UTM JOHOR
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities in physics among undergraduates at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This study supervised by Prof. Dr. Fatin Aliah Phang. The research focuses on the topic of force and motion, aiming to determine whether a student^s conceptual grasp influences their ability to solve related physics problems. Conceptual understanding was measured using the Force Concept Inventory (FCI), while problem-solving skills were assessed through selected items from the SAT Physics Practice Test. A total of 60 students from Year 2 and Year 4 who had completed the mechanics course participated in the study. Descriptive analysis was used to determine students^ levels of conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability, while Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the two variables. The findings provide insights into how these two cognitive domains are related within the context of physics learning.
Keywords: Conceptual Understanding, Problem Solving, Force and Motion
