The image of mathematics held by
Irish post-primary students was examined and a model for the image found was
constructed. Initially, a definition for “image of mathematics” was adopted with
image of mathematics hypothesized as comprising attitudes, beliefs,
self-concept, motivation, emotions and past experiences of mathematics.
Research focused on students studying ordinary level mathematics for the Irish
Leaving Certificate examination – the final examination for students in
second-level or post-primary education. Students were aged between 15 and 18
years. A questionnaire was constructed with both quantitative and qualitative
aspects. The questionnaire survey was completed by 356 post-primary students.
Responses were analysed quantitatively using SPSS and qualitatively using the
constant comparative method of analysis and by reviewing individual responses.
Findings provide an insight into Irish post-primary students’ images of
mathematics and offer a means for constructing a theoretical model of image of
mathematics which could be beneficial for future research.