%0 Journal Article
%T AN ANALYSIS OF PROVING METHODS FOR VALIDITY OF THE LOGICAL ARGUMENTS BY STUDENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
%A L¨¹tfi £¿NC£¿KABI
%J Ad£¿yaman University International Journal of Social Science
%D 2013
%I Ad?yaman University
%X This study aimed to determine the methods to prove the validity of logical arguments used by the college students, from the department of mathematics education, and to reveal students¡¯ reasons for selection of the method they used. Among the qualitative research designs, case study was the methodology of the current study. The participants of the study consisted of 76 students who were in their third year in college and who were registered for Introduction to Algebra course. One result of the study was that all three solution methods (classical mathematical operations, truth table, rules of inference) were utilized by the students while the rules of inferences were the most preferred solution method among all. Moreover, the fact that students who applied the rules of inferences were more successful in reaching the correct solution than the rest also confirmed the efficacy of the method of rules of inferences. Another result of the study was that students¡¯ reasons for selecting the method of rules of inferences mainly included that it requires less steps and that it is more applicable. Moreover, students utilizing the rules of inferences also stated that the rules of inferences helped them to reveal the concepts behind the logical arguments beside the fact that this method was more efficient in acquiring the solution. On the other hand, students using the truth table or classical mathematical operations techniques highlighted that their preferences were mainly due to their confidence in using these techniques since they were instructed on these techniques in their past courses.
%K Symbolic Logic
%K different solution methods
%K rules of inference
%K mathematics education in college.
%U http://adyusbd.com/Makaleler/1141609898_%c4%b0NC%c4%b0KABI-L%c3%9cTF%c4%b0.pdf