The Deficit Profile of Elementary Students With Computational Difficulties Versus Word Problem-Solving Difficulties

Xin Lin, Peng Peng, Hongjing Luo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the deficit profiles of two important types of mathematics difficulties. Three cognitive measures (working memory, processing speed, and reasoning), two mathematics measures (numerical facts retrieval and mathematics vocabulary), and reading comprehension were assessed among 237 Chinese fourth-grade students, among whom 28 were classified as students with only computational difficulties (CD), 34 were classified as having only word problem-solving difficulties (WPD), 20 were classified as students with computational and word problem-solving difficulties (CD + WPD), and 43 typically developing (TD) peers. Multivariate analysis showed that, compared with TD, CD was associated with weakness in numerical working memory; WPD was associated with weakness in reading comprehension; both CD and WPD were associated with weakness in mathematics vocabulary. However, CD and WPD did not differ from each other on any of those profiling measures. Implications for understanding mathematics competence and identification of mathematics difficulties are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)110-122
Number of pages13
JournalLearning Disability Quarterly
Volume44
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Keywords

  • computational difficulties
  • mathematics vocabulary
  • word problem-solving difficulties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • General Health Professions
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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