Using data maps to analyse students' strategy use in problem solving: A visual technique
Carmel M. Diezmann · 1996
Qualitative data analysis has become increasingly important in mathematics education research. However the conceptualisation of the data and the fulfillment of the interactive assumption of qualitative analysis are a concern. An alternative to a linguistic approach to analysis is a visual approach. The visual analysis of data utilises wholistic data displays, referred to as data maps, and employs visual reasoning. The data maps, which are produced using drawing software, can enhance conceptualisation and facilitate the interactive process of analysis. In recent years the use of qualitative data analysis in mathematics education research has expanded and provided useful insights into the teaching and learning of mathematics. However the use of text as the "unit " in analysis is recognised as labour intensive (Bogdan & Biklen, 1982), time-consuming and difficult (Pitman & Maxwell, 1992). An alternative to the use of a linguistic representations and sequential reasoning in data analysis is the use of visual representations and visual reasoning. Such a perspective does not seek to degrade the status quo but rather to recognise the