Approaches to Qualitative Research in Mathematics Education

This volume documents a range of qualitative research approaches emerged within mathematics education over the last three decades, whilst at the same time revealing their underlying methodologies. Continuing the discussion as begun in the two 2003 ZDM issues dedicated to qualitative empirical methods in mathematics education, this volume brings in additional depth and variety and presents a state of the art overview on qualitative research in mathematics education. The unique two-part structure of the chapters allows the reader to use the book as an actual guide for the selection of an appropriate methodology, on a basis of both theoretical depth and practical implications. The methods and examples presented are not intended as procedures to imitate, but rather they illustrate how different methodologies come to life when applied to a specific question in a specific context. Many of the methodologies described in the proposed book are also applicable outside mathematics education, but the examples provided are chosen so as to situate the approach in a mathematical context. Some of the methodologies are well known in mathematics education while others provide innovative approaches to research that readers may not have encountered previously. The contributors come from a wide range of backgrounds within and outside mathematics education, including both experienced and new researchers.