Reaction to Section 3: Some Methodological Reflections on Studies of Mathematical Affect

Abstract

This commentary reviews methodological aspects of nine studies of mathematical affect. It notes the popularity of the Likert-item questionnaire as a means of data collection and examines some of the complexities of data analysis. The studies illustrate why the level of specificity at which the affective constructs measured by such an instrument are constituted, as well as their underlying structure, needs to be subject to investigation. Equally, instruments of this type cannot be assumed to be transposable between different cultural contexts and may themselves be strongly shaped by particular value positions. Adapting an existing instrument of this type or constructing a new one is a challenging task if the resulting questionnaire is to be adequately validated. In pursuit of such validation, greater use might be made of other techniques for purposes both of initial formulation and of subsequent triangulation.