Qualitative Data
Two peer-discussion groups, one from each class, each composed of four students, were
videotaped during the five problem-solving sessions scheduled throughout the course of
the study. The same groups of students were videotaped each time so that the recording
process might become less obtrusive over time. These students discussed the problem tasks
in small peer groups prior to individually writing their response to each question. The
videotapes were transcribed for later analysis and then destroyed. These transcriptions,
which constitute case studies of peer-discussion groups in action, were analyzed to determine
how student understanding evolved during these group sessions. Written responses
to each of the explanatory tasks, which were completed immediately after discussion with
peers, were also collected from the individual students. Pseudonyms have been used for
all statements and responses reported in the study. The oral statements and written responses
of the students were compared to determine how both talk and writing influenced
collective and individual thinking about the problem tasks (Miles & Huberman, 1984).
We hoped that interpreting these qualitative data would allow us to clarify some of the
mechanisms underlying the role of talking with peers for understanding science content
(Peshkin, 1993). The analysis initially focused on the transcripts while looking for patterns
of interaction within the peer groups, and later extended to searching for connections