Triangular Fuzzy Cognitive Maps Method for Modelling Interrelation between Causal and Trigger Factors Towards Students' Mathematics Problem-Solving Ability

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to model the interrelation between causal and trigger factors towards students' mathematics problem-solving ability by using the triangular fuzzy cognitive maps (TrFCM) method. Selection weaknesses and limitations in the method of relational analysis cause the interrelation and influence between variables not to be visualised and do not reveal the characteristics of the actual interaction. As a result, this study demonstrates TrFCM as a more effective way of analysing the relationship between variables based on the complexity that happens in analysing causal factors and triggers for students' problem-solving abilities in mathematics. The results of the influential relations map (IRM) demonstrate that emotion and metacognition are the triggers for problem-solving ability. While executive function is the main cause of success in completing mathematics problems, it is also influenced by additional factors such as motivation, attention, and working memory. These causal and triggering factors also mobilise parts of students' cognitive and behavioural performance to improve the process of solving mathematics problems. Based on the outcomes of this study, computational intelligence methods like fuzzy systems give useful procedures for analysing data from expert surveys. The TrFCM method offers a more accurate relational analysis procedure in modelling interrelation between human factors.