Data sources
Multiple sources of data collection were undertaken for
this qualitative study. These included audio and video
recordings of the focus groups as they solved the problem,
as well as all whole-class discussions. Student workbooks
were scanned and photos taken of the students’
constructions. The researchers also completed written
reflections on the problem’s implementation.
Data for addressing each of the research questions
were drawn from the student workbook responses. The
first and fourth research questions were also answered
through analysis of group transcripts as students worked
the problem.