Developing an Instrument for Analyzing Mathematics and Mathematics Education Ideas in the Spanish Press of the 18th Century

Abstract

Old mathematics books and textbooks have focused different researchers onto the history of mathematics and mathematics education. However, books are not the only information source for this field; for example, researchers can also study periodical-type publications from the past (such as diaries, weeklies, newspapers, etc.). Considering this, this study developed an instrument to analyze publications about mathematics and mathematics education included in newspapers, weeklies, journals, etc., which were not exclusively devoted to science, from the perspective of the history of mathematics and mathematics education. In order to do so, a descriptive research focused on the analysis of historical texts was carried out using the content analysis technique. The different labels and categories of this instrument are here exemplified by the categorization of some entries included in several periodical publications published in the 18th century in Spain.