Examining the Cognitive Structures of Primary School Mathematics Teacher Candidates Regarding the Concept of "Variable" Using the Word Association Test

Öz

This study aims to examine the cognitive structures of preservice teachers enrolled in the Elementary Mathematics Education program regarding the concept of “variable” through the Word Association Test. The research was designed using a case study, and the study group consisted of 38 preservice teachers studying in the Elementary Mathematics Education program at a state university. The data were collected through a Word Association Test administered for the concept of “variable” and analyzed using content analysis. A total of 247 valid associations were obtained, and the data were categorized under seven main themes. The findings revealed that preservice teachers primarily associated the concept of “variable” with mathematics, followed by the themes of social sciences and humanities, scientific method and variables, daily life and observable characteristics, technology and abstract concepts, natural sciences, and economics-finance. Within the mathematical concepts theme, “equation” and “function” emerged as the most frequently repeated concepts. The results indicate that preservice teachers construct the concept of “variable” in a multidimensional, rich, and interdisciplinary manner. This integrated understanding is considered to provide a positive foundation for teaching the concept more effectively in their future practice.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Variable
• word association test
• cognitive structure
• pre-service teachers
• mathematics education

Etik Beyan

Ethics and Trustworthiness Ethical principles were strictly followed in the study. Participants’ identities were kept confidential, and the data were used solely for research purposes. To enhance the trustworthiness of the study, strategies such as calculating inter-coder reliability and including direct quotations were employed

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