DEDICATION
I dedicate this research project to my parents. To my dad, Gervasio, thank you for your
motivation and encouragement to work hard in school and to trust in God. To my mum,
Virginia, thank you for being a huge influence and your prayers that kept me going
throughout my studies. Thank you to all my siblings for your tremendous support.
Special dedication to Mrs. Sat, the former headteacher Breaburn Imani School who
allowed leave during working hours to pursue this course.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Karen T. Odhiambo, my supervisor, for showing great
confidence in me during the entire course of study. Her guidance, patience and above all
her understanding has enormously contributed to my success in this programme. She was
not just a teacher but also a mentor and a counselor who accorded me the right
opportunities to discover my strengths as well as providing the right educational and
career experiences that relate to my interests and career aspirations. Through her
leadership and guidance, I leave the university a better person, equipped with important
skills and competences to face the twenty first century job market demands. Thank you.
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the student cognitive style in relation to their
academic achievement in mathematics. The objectives of the study were: a) to determine
the Students’ Cognitive style; b) to determine the differences in Students’ Cognitive style
among boys and girls; and c) to determine the relationship between Students’ Cognitive
style and mathematical achievement.
The results indicate that there is a difference in the manner in which learners perceive,
organize and represent the incoming information. These different characteristics of
learners influence how they will respond and function in situations of learning. The
learners with difficulties in representing and documenting procedures find mathematics
difficult.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 4
1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 5
1.4 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................. 5
1.5 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 5
1.6 Justification of the Study .......................................................................................... 6
1.7 Key Terminologies.................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................ 9
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Related Studies.......................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Related Literature.................................................................................................... 11
2.3.1 The Concept of Cognitive Style ....................................................................... 11
2.3.2 Cognitive Style and Mathematics .................................................................... 20
2.3.3 Cognitive Style and Gender ............................................................................. 25
2.3.4 Cognitive Style and Academic Achievement .................................................. 27
2.3.5 Relationship between Teachers’ and Student’s Cognitive Style ..................... 29
2.4 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................... 29
2.4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 29
2.4.2 Piaget theory of Cognitive Development ......................................................... 29
2.4.3 Neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development ........................................... 33
2.5 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................... 36
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................. 37
3.1: Research Design .................................................................................................... 37
3.2: Population and Sample .......................................................................................... 37
3.3: Sam