Copyright 2020 The Author(s). Published by vgtu press

2. Methodology
A mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology was adopted for this study. The study 
investigates changes in students’ creativity after being taught mathematics via the collab-
orative, CPS way. The design of this study is closer to a mix of one-shot and static-group 
pre-experimental design. Although comparison group is present, they are not considered 
as control group in the pure sense. Four existing classes went through intervention lesson 
while three other groups (supposedly 4) acted as comparison groups. The groups were not 
rearranged to be equal for serving the purpose of experimental and comparison group as 
in the real sense of quasi-experimental design study. Although there are drawbacks to this 
design, it is felt that this design is more ethical and non-disruptive in nature because classes 
are not rearranged to produce almost equal experimental and control group as in pure quasi-
experimental design. The main result to determine the success of the intervention would be 
based on the increase in marks from pre- to post-test. The use of comparison group is only 
to confirm if the changes is due to the intervention.
2.1. Population and sample
The sample for this study consists of 172 students, chosen based on purposive sampling, 
a non-probability sample that is selected based on characteristics of a population and 
the objective of the study. The number of students for each school and class is shown 
in Table 1.
Figure 1. The conceptual framework of the research (source: created by authors)

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M. Khalid et al. Enhancing creativity and problem solving skills through creative problem...
Table 1. The sample of the study (source: created by authors)
Treatment
Comparison
School
Gender
Number
%
Number
%
SMKSS
– Male
10
9.6
–
–
– Female
7
6.7
–
–
SMKTS
– Male
13
12.5
11
16.2
– Female
12
11.5
5
7.3
SMKHC
– Male
9
8.7
12
16.6
– Female
15
14.4
9
14.3
SMKSG
– Male
21
20.2
17
25.0
– Female
17
16.4
14
20.6
Total
– Male
53
51.0
40
58.8
– Female
51
49.0
28
41.2
Grand total
104
100
68
100
Typical case purposive sampling as is applied here, is a type of purposive sampling that is 
useful when a researcher wants to study a phenomenon or trend as it relates to what are con-
sidered “typical” or “average” members of the effected population. The sample schools chosen 
satisfy certain criteria, that is: average schools, students with average ability in mathematics 
measured through Primary School Evaluation Test (Malaysia) result and participating teach-
ers having about 5 years teaching experience. All four schools are normal, semi-urban public 
schools. For interview purposes, six students from each school were randomly selected to