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Reasoning and Proof in Mathematics Education: A Systematic Literature Review

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Title: Reasoning and Proof in Mathematics Education: A Systematic Literature Review
Language: English
Authors: Mary-Jane Lessing, Ugorji I. Ogbonnaya
Source: Discover Education. 2026 5.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Secondary Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Descriptors: Mathematical Logic, Validity, Mathematics Education, Teaching Methods, Mathematics Skills, Teacher Attitudes, Knowledge Level, Mathematics Teachers, Educational Research, Foreign Countries, Preservice Teacher Education, Postsecondary Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education
Geographic Terms: Turkey, United States, Indonesia
DOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-01016-1
ISSN: 2731-5525
Abstract: This study presents a systematic literature review of 80 publications on reasoning and proof in mathematics education from 2019 to 2024. This review examined the distribution of the studies across mathematics content areas, educational levels, year of publication, and countries. In addition, it examined the instructional strategies and interventions that promote students' reasoning and proof, the common challenges students encounter in understanding and engaging with reasoning and proof in mathematics, and teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards reasoning and proof. The results show that most studies focused on geometry, with an apparent increase in research activity between 2019 and 2023. There were studies from 29 nations, thus signifying that reasoning and proof in mathematics education are internationally important. Türkiye, the United States, and Indonesia were the top three countries where the studies were carried out. Most of the studies were at the pre-service teacher education level, followed by the secondary school education level. The Guide-redirecting Warrant Construction instructional approach was found to be effective in improving students' reasoning and proof. Furthermore, students have difficulty with reasoning and proof, which is aggravated by teachers' low proficiency in these areas. The study identified important gaps in the literature and offered recommendations to address them.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502208
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: This study presents a systematic literature review of 80 publications on reasoning and proof in mathematics education from 2019 to 2024. This review examined the distribution of the studies across mathematics content areas, educational levels, year of publication, and countries. In addition, it examined the instructional strategies and interventions that promote students' reasoning and proof, the common challenges students encounter in understanding and engaging with reasoning and proof in mathematics, and teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards reasoning and proof. The results show that most studies focused on geometry, with an apparent increase in research activity between 2019 and 2023. There were studies from 29 nations, thus signifying that reasoning and proof in mathematics education are internationally important. Türkiye, the United States, and Indonesia were the top three countries where the studies were carried out. Most of the studies were at the pre-service teacher education level, followed by the secondary school education level. The Guide-redirecting Warrant Construction instructional approach was found to be effective in improving students' reasoning and proof. Furthermore, students have difficulty with reasoning and proof, which is aggravated by teachers' low proficiency in these areas. The study identified important gaps in the literature and offered recommendations to address them.
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        Value: 10.1007/s44217-025-01016-1
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematical Logic
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      – SubjectFull: Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Education
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