A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks

Ramazan Avcu; Fatma Fakı

doi:10.63612/ijesp.2038623

A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks

Abstract

Maintaining students’ motivation in mathematics is essential for overcoming learning difficulties. This study examined (i) how motivation sections are distributed across learning domains in three seventh-grade mathematics textbooks and (ii) the diversity of motivational elements they contain. Using a multiple-case study design, three textbooks aligned with the 2009, 2013, and 2018 Turkish middle school mathematics curricula (ADA, 2014; TUTKU, 2015; MoNE, 2019) were analyzed. A conceptual framework identified nine categories of motivational elements, including visuals, exemplifications, connections, open-ended questions, games, humor, historical notes, career information, and biographies. The findings showed notable differences across textbooks: TUTKU (2015) and MoNE (2019) emphasized Numbers and Operations, whereas ADA (2014) focused on Geometry and Measurement. Visuals, connections, and open-ended questions were most common, while games, humor, career information, and biographies were rare. Most motivation sections combined three or four elements, suggesting the need to improve their number, diversity, and quality.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethics approval was not required for this study because it was based solely on the analysis of publicly available mathematics textbooks. The study did not involve human participants, animals, or the collection or use of identifiable personal data.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Specialist Studies in Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ramazan Avcu ^*
0000-0002-0149-5178
Türkiye

Fatma Fakı
0009-0003-7726-2789
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 21, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

September 13, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.2038623

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA87GK54MS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Avcu, R., & Fakı, F. (2026). A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.2038623

AMA

1.Avcu R, Fakı F. A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks. IJESP. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.63612/ijesp.2038623

Chicago

Avcu, Ramazan, and Fatma Fakı. 2026. “A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.2038623.

EndNote

Avcu R, Fakı F (October 1, 2026) A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]R. Avcu and F. Fakı, “A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks”, IJESP, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.63612/ijesp.2038623.

ISNAD

Avcu, Ramazan - Fakı, Fatma. “A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy. Advanced Online Publication (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.2038623.

JAMA

1.Avcu R, Fakı F. A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks. IJESP. 2026. doi:10.63612/ijesp.2038623.

MLA

Avcu, Ramazan, and Fatma Fakı. “A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi:10.63612/ijesp.2038623.

Vancouver

1.Ramazan Avcu, Fatma Fakı. A Comparative Analysis of the Motivational Design of Three Seventh-Grade Mathematics Textbooks. IJESP. 2026 Oct. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.63612/ijesp.2038623