View in EDS PDF Full Text

The Nature of Argumentation in School Mathematics and Physics Texts: The Case of Periodicity.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Nature of Argumentation in School Mathematics and Physics Texts: The Case of Periodicity.
Authors: Triantafillou, Chrissavgi1 akallio@otenet.gr, Spiliotopoulou, Vasiliki1, Potari, Despina2
Source: International Journal of Science & Mathematics Education. May2016, Vol. 14 Issue 4, p681-699. 19p.
Subject Terms: *Physics textbooks, *Reasoning, *Content analysis, Greek mathematics, Generalization, Ontology
Abstract: The present study explores reasoning and argumentation in Greek mathematics and physics texts in specific topics related to the notion of periodicity. In our study, argumentation is taken as the sequence of the modes of reasoning (MsoR) that an author develops in a text when organizing and presenting new knowledge. Inductive content analysis was applied on 71 thematic units taken from 4 mathematics and 4 physics textbooks, and a coding system of categories and subcategories of MsoR was produced. Our analysis discerned 4 main categories of MsoR: empirical, logical-empirical, nomological, and mathematical; we argue that each mode of reasoning (MoR) plays a different role in conceptualizing aspects of periodicity. Analysis of the sequence of MsoR in two thematic units raised pragmatic considerations on the text understanding in relation to the scientific argumentation discourse and highlights ontological differences in the two subjects when ascending from observations to generalizations. Educational implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Science & Mathematics Education is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:The present study explores reasoning and argumentation in Greek mathematics and physics texts in specific topics related to the notion of periodicity. In our study, argumentation is taken as the sequence of the modes of reasoning (MsoR) that an author develops in a text when organizing and presenting new knowledge. Inductive content analysis was applied on 71 thematic units taken from 4 mathematics and 4 physics textbooks, and a coding system of categories and subcategories of MsoR was produced. Our analysis discerned 4 main categories of MsoR: empirical, logical-empirical, nomological, and mathematical; we argue that each mode of reasoning (MoR) plays a different role in conceptualizing aspects of periodicity. Analysis of the sequence of MsoR in two thematic units raised pragmatic considerations on the text understanding in relation to the scientific argumentation discourse and highlights ontological differences in the two subjects when ascending from observations to generalizations. Educational implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:15710068
DOI:10.1007/s10763-014-9609-y