Evaluating the third-grade intermediate mathematics textbook in light of qualitative standards (A case study in the Republic of Iraq)

Abstract

The third-grade intermediate mathematics textbook in the Republic of Iraq is studied according to qualitative standards. The qualitative research was based on the nature of the data, applied approach in its purpose, and descriptive documentary approach to the data collection. The study was therefore documentary content analysis. The research population consisted of the entire content of the Iraqi third-grade intermediate mathematics textbook (and since there is a whole textbook to analyze, the sample and the data set are identical). The measurement tool used was a content-standards checklist for the third-grade intermediate mathematics textbook according to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. The checklist covered 10 principles: number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections and representation. Content analysis was used to process the data. The textbook was mainly on algebraic concepts and problem solving and other aspects of geometry, measurement, and statistics were only a fraction of the coverage. However, deeper skills (e.g., reasoning, systematic proof, effective mathematical communication and the use of various representations) need to be developed.