Cluster Analysis as Method to Identify Factors that Affect the Success of Olympiad Math Problem Solving
This paper is about the factors that affect the success of Olympiad math problems. Based on the literature review, we found that cognitions, emotions and motives are predictors of problem solving success. In most cases, the predictors of success are considered in isolation from each other, but in this work, we have attempted to examine them together using cluster analysis. Two analyzes were carried out to identify clusters of Olympiad math problems and cluster of participants in the Olympiad. As a result, various effects were found that accompany the problem solving process: the second-day effect, the resource allocation effect, the solution polarity, the participation experience effect in the Olympiads and others. The obtained results reflect the importance of cognitive, emotional and motivational factors in the process of solving Olympiad math problems.