MATH 530 Fall 2014
Mathematics Education Research Seminar Reading Questions for Survey Articles and Chapters
When critically reading survey articles, or chapters, about mathematics education research, consideration of the following questions should be helpful.
1. Do the authors seem to be giving an objective survey or overview? Or, do they have an “axe to grind” (about their own research)?
2. Are the authors taking a particular philosophical or other point of view? What is it? 3. Do the authors (as far as you can tell) cite relevant references? Are any important
references missing (as far as you can tell)?
4. Is the article/chapter focused, well organized and well written? 5. Are all the assertions backed up by evidence or citations?
6. What conclusions/implications for teaching or future research (if any) did the authors draw?
7. Did you learn anything from reading the article? If so, what? A new concept, some new empirical facts, something else, not much?
8. Were any special (technical) words or concepts used that you would like to discuss? 9. Is there anything in the article that you disagree with or think might not be right? What
and why? Comments drawing on personal experience are welcome, but they should be brief -- remember this is not a bull session.
