Math problem solving ability of students based on critical thinking skills with mediator role of achievement motivation and attitude towards mathematics

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between critical thinking skills and math problem solving ability of students by mediating role of achievement motivation and attitude toward mathematics. The statistical population of this study includes all sixth grade students in Mashhad in the academic year 2018. For this reason, a sample of 440 students was selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Students completed Cronel Level x Critical Thinking Questionnaire, Achievement Motivation, Attitude toward Mathematics and Mathematical Problem Solving Test.This research is correlational and data analysis was performed using path analysis method. The results showed that critical thinking skills had a significant positive effect on the math problem solving ability of students. In addition, it turned out that the attitude toward mathematics has a significant positive effect on the math problem solving ability of students. The achievement motivation does not effect on the math problem solving ability of students, but it has a positive and significant impact on the attitude toward mathematics. It was also found that despite the positive and significant effect of critical thinking skills on the attitude toward mathematics and the achievement motivation, these two variables, namely, the attitude toward mathematics and the achievement motivation, do not have a mediator role between critical thinking skills and the math problem solving ability of students