A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Roles of mathematics in physics education: A systematic review
Authors: Palmgren, Elina; Kokkonen, Tommi; Bruun, Jesper
Publisher: American Physical Society
Publication year: 2025
Journal:: Physical Review Physics Education Research
Article number: 020602
Volume: 21
eISSN: 2469-9896
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/wwww-gwp8
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1103/wwww-gwp8
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/504929987
Mathematics plays many roles in physics and physics education. While these roles have previously been extensively discussed in the physics education research community, no systematic picture of the multifaceted considerations has yet been formed. To gain a comprehensive overview of the previous studies on the topic, we conducted a systematic literature review on 122 journal articles published between 2000 and 2023 that examine the role of mathematics in physics and physics learning. In the reviewed articles, we employed qualitative content analysis, coded each article for its characteristics, and used network maps for visualization. We identified eight thematic article categories, highlighting the complex integration of mathematics in, for example, physical reasoning, problem solving, modeling, and experiments. Additionally, the review examines theoretical frameworks and contexts, revealing an overemphasis on problem solving in mechanics and a limited exploration of advanced physics topics like quantum mechanics. A detailed inductive analysis further identified six overarching roles that mathematics plays in physics and physics education: (i) supporting learning and achievement, (ii) enabling mathematical manipulations, (iii) guiding reasoning and sensemaking, (iv) facilitating experiments and modeling, (v) serving as a language, and (vi) providing a structural foundation for physics as a science. Based on the analysis, we discuss how the roles assigned to mathematics have been conceptualized in the reviewed articles and provide an overall picture of the types and features of the reviewed corpus. Our findings suggest opportunities for future research, including deeper explorations of underrepresented physics contexts and targeted investigations into specific roles of mathematics in teaching and learning.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
The work of E. P. was supported by The Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation. Open access funded by Helsinki University Library.
