NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1070585
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Sep
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1954
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Inappropriately Applying Natural Number Properties in Rational Number Tasks: Characterizing the Development of the Natural Number Bias through Primary and Secondary Education
van Hoof, Jo; Verschaffel, Lieven; van Dooren, Wim
Educational Studies in Mathematics, v90 n1 p39-56 Sep 2015
The natural number bias is known to explain many difficulties learners have with understanding rational numbers. The research field distinguishes three aspects where natural number properties are sometimes inappropriately applied in rational number tasks: density, size, and operations. The overall goal of this study was to characterize the development of the natural number bias across the span between 4th and 12th grade. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive test was constructed to test 4th to 12th graders' natural number bias. This test was administered to 1343 elementary and secondary school students. Results showed that an overall natural number bias could be found. This bias appeared to be equally strong in tasks with decimal numbers and tasks with fractions. Moreover, the natural number bias was weakest in size tasks, somewhat stronger in operations tasks, and by far the strongest in density tasks. An overall decrease of the strength of the natural number bias--but no disappearance except for size tasks--could be found with grade.
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A