Skip to main content

Revealing Assumptions: Problematising Research on Gender and Mathematics and Science Education

  • Chapter
Gender, Science and Mathematics

Part of the book series: Science & Technology Education Library ((STEL,volume 2))

Abstract

Over the past three decades, teachers, researchers and policy makers have become increasingly aware of differences in the participation and achievement of girls and boys in school mathematics and science. Significant amounts of research have focussed on this issue, and associated initiatives have been developed, usually with the explicit aim of increasing the participation of girls in these subjects. This work has contributed to our understanding of the area and has affected the educational and career opportunities of some girls. However, we believe that the scope and extent of these changes have been circumscribed by a limited conceptualisation of gender.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barnes, M. (1991). Investigating change: An introduction to calculus for Australian schools, Melbourne, Curriculum Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, M., Plaister, R. & Thomas, A. (1984). Girls count in mathematics and science: A handbook for teachers, Sydney, Mathematical Association of New South Wales.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, L. (ed.) (1986). Girls into maths can go, Holt, London, Rinehart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, L. (ed.) (1990). Gender and mathematics. An international perspective, London, Cassell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, W. & Kemmis, S. (1986). Becoming critical: Education, knowledge and action research, London, Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dekkers, J., de Laeter, J.R. & Malone, J.A. (1986). Upper secondary school science and mathematics enrolment patterns in Australia, 1970-1985, Perth, Curtin University of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doron, R. (1991). ‘Gender similarities and dissimilarities in prediction of academic achievements by psychometric tests among Israeli practical engineers’, in L.J. Rennie, L.H. Parker and G.M. Hildebrand (eds.). Action for equity: The second decade. Contributions to the Sixth International GASAT Conference, Perth, National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, 544–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethington, C.A. (1992). ‘Gender differences in a psychological model of mathematics achievement’, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 23(2), 166–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, E. (1993). ‘Teachers’ beliefs and gender differences in mathematics’, in E. Fennema and G. Leder (eds.). Mathematics and gender, Brisbane, University of Queensland Press, 169–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianello, L. (ed.) (1988). Getting into gear, gender inclusive teaching strategies in science, Canberra, Curriculum Development Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J.A. (1981). ‘A biological basis for the sex differences in achievement in science’, in A. Kelly (ed.), The missing half: Girls and science education, Manchester, Manchester University Press, 43–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grosz, E. (1990). ‘Conclusion: A note on essentialism and difference’, in S. Gunew (ed.), Feminist knowledge, critique and construct, London, Routledge, 332–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grundy, S. (1987). Curriculum: Product or praxis, London, Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Habermas, J. (1972). Knowledge and human interests, second edition, London, Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, S. (1986). The science question in feminism, Milton Keynes, Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, J. & Dunne, M. (1991, April). Gender, mathematics and science: Evading the issues or confronting new questions, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M.G. (1991). ‘Competitive science: Gender differences in the physical and biological sciences’, in L.J. Rennie, L.H. Parker and G.M. Hildebrand (eds.), Action for equity: The second decade. Contributions to the Sixth International GASAT Conference, Perth, National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, 261–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeves, J. (ed.) (1992). The IEA study of science III: Changes in science education and achievement: 1970 to 1984, Oxford, Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, A. (1987). ‘Why girls don’t do science’, in A. Kelly (ed.), Science for girls?, Milton Keynes, Open University Press, 12–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T.S. (1970). The Structure of scientific revolutions, Chicago, IL, University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakatos, I. (1976). Proofs and refutations, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G.C. (1974). ‘Sex differences in mathematics: Problem appeal as a function of problem context’, Journal for Educational Research (67), 351–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G.C. (1976). ‘Contextual setting and mathematical performance’, Australian Mathematics Teacher 32(4), 119–127; 32(5), 165-173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G.C. (1982). ‘Mathematics achievement and fear of success’, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 1(2), 124–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. & Davies, A. (1988). Girls and maths and science teaching: Professional development manual, Canberra, Curriculum Development Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lock, R. (1992). ‘Gender and practical skill performance in science’, Journal of Research in Science Teaching (29), 227–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Megaw, W.J. (1991). ‘Gender distribution in the world’s physics departments’, in L.J. Rennie, L.H. Parker and G.M. Hildebrand (eds.), Action for equity: The second decade. Contributions to the Sixth International GASAT Conference, Perth, National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, 604–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P. (1991). ‘Gender differences in pupils’ reactions to practical work’, in B. Woolnough (ed.). Practical science, Milton Keynes, Open University Press, 112–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D.C. (1987). Philosophy, science and social inquiry: Contemporary methodological controversies in social science and related applied fields of research, Oxford, Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popper, K.R. (1968). The logic of scientific discovery, London, Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reilly, B. & Morton, M. (1991). ‘Performance in a nationwide mathematics examination at tertiary entrance level’, in L.J. Rennie, L.H. Parker and G.M. Hildebrand (eds.), Action for equity: The second decade. Contributions to the Sixth International GASAT Conference, Perth, National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, 301–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, J. (1983). ‘Girls talk about mathematics and their future: A partial replication’, Psychology of Women Quarterly (7), 338–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjøberg, S. & Imsen, G. (1988). ‘Gender and science education I’, in P. Fensham (ed.), Development and dilemmas in science education, London, Falmer Press, 218–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, I. (1964). Spatial ability: Its education and social significance, San Diego, CA, Robert P. Knapp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, L. (1990). Feminist praxis, London, Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, L. & Wise, S. (1983). Breaking out: Feminist consciousness and feminist research, London, Routledge and Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walkerdine, V. (1984). ‘Developmental psychology and the child centred pedagogy: The insertion of Piaget into early education’, in J. Henriques, W. Hollway, C. Urwin, C. Venn and V. Walkerdine, Changing the subject: Psychology, social regulation and subjectivity, London, Methuen, 153–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walkerdine, V. & The Girls and Mathematics Unit (1989). Counting girls out, London, Virago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, S. (1989). ‘Real girls don’t do maths’: Gender and the construction of privilege, Geelong, Australia, Deakin University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, S. (1995). ‘Gender reform through school mathematics’, in P. Rogers and G. Kaiser (eds.), Equity in mathematics education: Influences of feminism and culture, London, Falmer Press, 186–200.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Johnston, J., Dunne, M. (1996). Revealing Assumptions: Problematising Research on Gender and Mathematics and Science Education. In: Parker, L.H., Rennie, L.J., Fraser, B.J. (eds) Gender, Science and Mathematics. Science & Technology Education Library, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0143-1_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0143-1_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-3582-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0143-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics