Modelling mathematical argumentation: the importance of qualification

Inglis, M.; Mejia-Ramos, J.P.; Simpson, A.

Abstract

In recent years several mathematics education researchers have attempted to analyse students’ arguments using a restricted form of Toulmin’s [The Uses of Argument, Cambridge University Press, UK, 1958] argumentation scheme. In this paper we report data from task-based interviews conducted with highly talented postgraduate mathematics students, and argue that a superior categorisation of genuine mathematical argumentation is provided by the use of Toulmin’s full scheme. In particular, we suggest that modal qualifiers play an important and previously unrecognised role in mathematical argumentation, and that one of the goals of instruction should be to develop students’ abilities to appropriately match up warrant-types with modal qualifiers.

Citation

Inglis, M., Mejia-Ramos, J., & Simpson, A. (2007). Modelling mathematical argumentation: the importance of qualification. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 66(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-006-9059-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jan 21, 2008
• Journal: Educational Studies in Mathematics
• Print ISSN: 0013-1954
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-0816
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3-21
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-006-9059-8
• Keywords: Argumentation, Informal logic, Number theory, Proof, Reasoning, Toulmin.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1566126