RUME 28
2026
Alexandria, Virginia
The Structural and External Validity of Bold Problem Solving in College Math Students
Page: 196
Bold problem solving (BPS) describes an orientation towards mathematical problem-solving involving risk taking, inventiveness, and independence. Research establishing BPS is promising but requires more validity work to better position the construct. This study does so, exploring the factor structure of the BPS orientation scale, examining how BPS relates to risk taking, math identity and agency, and investigating if gendered differences in BPS orientations persist with more flexible gender measures than those used in earlier studies. Electronic survey data from 204 students enrolled in calculus or above at a single university were collected and analyzed using statistical methods. Results suggest that the BPS orientation scale has one dimension, but the measure can be improved. Risk taking and math identity have strong unique relationships to BPS. Gendered differences in BPS largely were non-existent using more flexible gender measures. Collectively, this work helps further the structural and external validity of BPS.