Argumentation in mathematics and science university textbooks: Similarities and differences in linguistic structures

Jenny M. Hellgren 1 2 3 * , Ewa Bergqvist 1 2, Magnus Österholm 1 2
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1 Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Umeå University, Umeå, SWEDEN
2 Umeå Mathematics Education Research Centre (UMERC), Umeå, SWEDEN
3 Umeå Science Education Research (UmSER), Umeå, SWEDEN
* Corresponding Author
EUR J SCI MATH ED, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/15746
Published Online: 23 December 2024, Published: 01 January 2025
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ABSTRACT

Argumentation is a key skill in most school subjects and academic disciplines, including mathematics and science. It is possible that similarities and differences between how argumentation is expressed in different subjects can contribute to, or disrupt, students’ transferrable argumentation skills. The purpose of this study is therefore to increase the understanding of such similarities and differences concerning the use of argumentation in mathematics and science texts. To reach this goal, the study compares argumentation with a focus on argumentation markers and argumentative structures in first-semester university textbooks in mathematics, chemistry, and biology. Results show that common linguistic argumentation markers in mathematics and science textbooks include for example because, if, thus, so, and therefore and that there is significantly more argumentation in the mathematics textbook compared to the science textbooks. Further, the results indicate differences in patterns of how argumentation is used, including for example that the mathematics textbook contains more complex argumentation compared with the chemistry textbook. Thereby, the subject-specific languages in the disciplines have the potential to offer students different examples of argumentation.
Keywords: biology, comparative analysis, chemistry, language, linguistic features, reasoning

CITATION

Hellgren, J. M., Bergqvist, E., & Österholm, M. (2025). Argumentation in mathematics and science university textbooks: Similarities and differences in linguistic structures. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/15746

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