Identification model for determining mathematical sentences as valid argument

Abstract

Argument skills are one of the most fundamental skills in science especially in learning mathematics. The aim of this study is to identify teacher candidate’s argument skills by posing mathematical sentences to further exposing them as mathematical arguments. It is a qualitative descriptive research. Data collection was done through written tests and in-depth interview. It involved 70 teacher candidates as the subjects. One of the subjects with distinguished test result was selected for further interview. The data were analyzed through data reduction. The findings revealed that teacher candidate’s argument skills can be identified through an identification model. This model includes the identification of mathematical sentences, compilation of supporting data, modeling, mathematical model, interpretation, and determination of valid arguments.