Analysis of the Students’ Argumentation based on the level of Ability: Study on the Process of Mathematical Proof

Abstract

Argumentation is one important component in building an understanding of mathematics students. Argumentation is concerned with a person’s ability to give reasons based on the facts to make a conclusion and is frequently used in mathematical proofs. Argumentation produce arguments that cannot be categorized right or wrong but it is valid or not, so a person’s ability does not guarantee the validity of arguments, depending on his thinking process. This research aims to analyze the arguments using the Toulmin argumentation consists of: data, claim, warrant, backing, qualifier and rebuttal. The researchers grouped students based on skill level high and low then analyze the sixth component of argumentation used students and validitasnya in the process of proof. Qualitative Research methods are used to collect data in the form of the results of the work of students, think aloud, field notes, and the results of the interview. The results showed that students with low ability can make valid arguments with true claims whereas students with high ability can also produce a valid argument with wrong claims. Each component of the argument has different characteristics based on the student’s ability level.