Comparison of intellectual preferences among female students of the second, third and fourth grades of mathematics sciences at Mashhad secondary schools

The purpose of this study was the comparison of intellectual preferences among female students of the second، third and fourth grades of mathematics’ sciences at Mashhad secondary schools. In this descriptive-survey research، the population was consisted of the total of female students of the high schools of Mashhad in the second، third and forth grades of mathematics field in 2010-2011. The sample was included 133 high school students (39 students at the second grade، 50 students at the third grade and 42 students at the fourth grade) who studied mathematics. They were chosen by using cluster sampling method from different regions of Mashhad. The short form of Ned Hermann questionnaire was used. Statistical analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistic. The collected data was analyzed through ANOVA، Mono-vamethodes and Tukey follow-up test. The results indicated that the mean score of D-quadrant was decreased significantly (F = 3. 17، p < 0. 045) and D-quadrant brain dominance was decreased significantly (p < 0. 05) from the second grade to the fourth grade. The findings of the present research showed that the current process in the field of mathematics education did not provide the development of students'' brain ability. Therefore، evaluating of the curriculum and teacher''s method of teaching in this field by competent authorities seems to be necessary.