Seven Metaphors to Illustrate Data Analysis from Mathematics Education Research

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical essay that discusses research methodology in the field of Mathematics Education, with an emphasis on the analysis of research data. Seven metaphors are proposed to illustrate some possible forwarding in data analysis: 1) The chronicle; 2) Target shooting; 3) The beautiful; 4) The witch's cauldron; 5) The trial; 6) The lens; 7) Yin-Yang. The objective is to alert to possible pitfalls and encourage greater protagonism by the researcher himself in authoring the research he carries out, in such a way that he not only uses methodological resources, but also problematizes such resources. The presentation of the metaphors is supported by theoretical reflections and examples, some of which are real, and others are fictitious. The metaphors illustrate possible situations that could occur with any researcher or teacher. They do not necessarily exhaust all possibilities and, therefore, can be taken up and transformed.