---
_id: '65865'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: "Mathematical problem solving is a highly complex competence that needs\r\nto
    be supported throughout the learning process. This study examines the role of\r\nproblem-solving
    heuristics among 73 sixth-grade students in a German secondary\r\nschool (Gesamtschule).
    Specifically, we focus on the empirical relationship between\r\nthe occurrence
    of heuristics, their suitability, and application, as well as their contribution\r\nto
    problem-solving success. To this end, we developed a heuristic training that\r\nintroduced
    strategy keys (heuristic aid cards) accompanied by explanatory videos. By\r\nleveraging
    variations in the successful application of the heuristics between students\r\nand
    across multiple sessions (73 students in 4 training situations and 3 problems\r\nin
    a final test), we discover from regression models with student and task-fixed
    effects\r\nthat a successful use of heuristics (i.e., an heuristic occurred, that
    heuristic had\r\na high suitability regarding the problem, and it was applied
    correctly) leads to more\r\nsuccessful mathematical problem solving. Regarding
    the underlying mechanism, we\r\nfind that all dimensions of heuristic use (occurrence,
    suitability, and application\r\nof heuristics) are positively related to problem-solving
    success. When comparing\r\nthe predictive capacity of all three aspects, we identified
    the correct application of\r\nheuristics as particularly conducive for better
    problem-solving success. In comparing\r\nthe group of students with high to those
    with low initial math competence, we find no significant differences in the relationship
    between heuristic use and problemsolving\r\nsuccess across achievement groups.
    Our results emphasize the crucial role\r\nof heuristic application in mathematical
    problem solving, which generally benefits\r\nstudents regardless of their overall
    math competence."
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Raja
  full_name: Herold-Blasius, Raja
  id: '126182'
  last_name: Herold-Blasius
- first_name: Hannah
  full_name: Kleinschmidt, Hannah
  last_name: Kleinschmidt
- first_name: Conrad
  full_name: Ziller, Conrad
  last_name: Ziller
citation:
  ama: 'Herold-Blasius R, Kleinschmidt H, Ziller C. Dimensions of Heuristic Use in
    Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary School Students. <i>Journal
    für Mathematik-Didaktik</i>. 2026;47(6). doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>'
  apa: 'Herold-Blasius, R., Kleinschmidt, H., &#38; Ziller, C. (2026). Dimensions
    of Heuristic Use in Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary
    School Students. <i>Journal Für Mathematik-Didaktik</i>, <i>47</i>(6). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>'
  bibtex: '@article{Herold-Blasius_Kleinschmidt_Ziller_2026, title={Dimensions of
    Heuristic Use in Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary School
    Students}, volume={47}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>},
    number={6}, journal={Journal für Mathematik-Didaktik}, author={Herold-Blasius,
    Raja and Kleinschmidt, Hannah and Ziller, Conrad}, year={2026} }'
  chicago: 'Herold-Blasius, Raja, Hannah Kleinschmidt, and Conrad Ziller. “Dimensions
    of Heuristic Use in Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary
    School Students.” <i>Journal Für Mathematik-Didaktik</i> 47, no. 6 (2026). <a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>.'
  ieee: 'R. Herold-Blasius, H. Kleinschmidt, and C. Ziller, “Dimensions of Heuristic
    Use in Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary School Students,”
    <i>Journal für Mathematik-Didaktik</i>, vol. 47, no. 6, 2026, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>.'
  mla: 'Herold-Blasius, Raja, et al. “Dimensions of Heuristic Use in Mathematical
    Problem Solving: Evidence from Early Secondary School Students.” <i>Journal Für
    Mathematik-Didaktik</i>, vol. 47, no. 6, 2026, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6">https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6</a>.'
  short: R. Herold-Blasius, H. Kleinschmidt, C. Ziller, Journal Für Mathematik-Didaktik
    47 (2026).
date_created: 2026-06-15T10:08:04Z
date_updated: 2026-06-15T10:13:14Z
ddc:
- '510'
department:
- _id: '97'
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6
file:
- access_level: closed
  content_type: application/pdf
  creator: rheroldb
  date_created: 2026-06-15T10:03:48Z
  date_updated: 2026-06-15T10:03:48Z
  file_id: '65866'
  file_name: 2026_JMD_Herold-Blasius et al_Dimensions of heuristic use.pdf
  file_size: 1766182
  relation: main_file
  success: 1
file_date_updated: 2026-06-15T10:03:48Z
has_accepted_license: '1'
intvolume: '        47'
issue: '6'
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
  url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-026-00270-6
oa: '1'
publication: Journal für Mathematik-Didaktik
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: 'Dimensions of Heuristic Use in Mathematical Problem Solving: Evidence from
  Early Secondary School Students'
type: journal_article
user_id: '126182'
volume: 47
year: '2026'
...