Preparing Mathematics Education Researchers for Disciplined Inquiry: Learning from, in, and for Practice

Abstract

In this chapter we consider what it takes to learn to conduct research in mathematics education. We argue that learning any complex practice requires opportunities to unpack its components in order to see what underlies competence performance. Many of the components of successful reserach remain implicit and are left to new researchers to glean from finished products. In this chapter we consider: What is it that accomplished scholars to as they conduct research? What are the practices in which they engage? What is it that they have to mobilize, consider, try, and carry out? We unpack the work of research, considering such domains as reading, writing, moving from particular observations to general insights, and communicating through multiple media. We propose that focusing on these practices of research offers a promising avenue for the preparation of beginning scholars.