Tatag Yuli Eko Siswono, Masriyah, Ismail, Siti Khabibah, Sugi Hartono
Students' challenges in applying research methodology to their thesis proposals are mainly in selecting appropriate research methods, participant selection methods, and analysis of research results. This descriptive study explores mathematics education master's students' understanding of research methodology. Participants comprised 19 students of the Master of Mathematics Education program in the 2023/2024 academic year. Data were collected through test and semi-structured interviews to explore students' understanding of quantitative, qualitative, development, action, and mixed-method research methods. Data analysis used descriptive quantitative analysis and interactive methods for qualitative analysis, including data condensation, data display, and verification. The results showed that it is evident that students' understanding of research methods remains inadequate. The average score achieved by the students was 8.95, with only 31.57% demonstrating a sufficient grasp of research methods. Although most students tend to favor a qualitative approach, they often need help articulating the research type they are conducting. © 2025 Author(s).
Mathematics Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
