Chapter Three: Methodology

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to use Sfard’s discourse approach as an analytic tool to describe students’ geometric thinking. Three primary data sources are used: (1) written responses to the van Hiele Geometry Test (used both as a pre-test and a post-test), (2) transcripts and interview video recordings (from two in-depth interviews, the first interview conducted right after the pre-test, and the second right after the posttest), and (3) participants’ written statements, answer sheets to the three tasks during the interviews. These data sources are described in greater detail in this section and are followed by the methods used to analyze these data sources.