Numerical cognition in Brazil: a narrative review of a growing research field (Cognición numérica en Brasil: una revisión de un campo de investigación en desarrollo)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the trends in current Brazilian research in numerical cognition, highlighting papers published in the last five years. The studies included in the narrative review have been described considering three thematic groups: numbers; operations and problem-solving; and difficulties or disabilities in learning mathematics. Besides describing the most recent papers in this field, the article includes specific issues, i.e., the active research groups and ways of publishing the research results. The most important conclusions are: there is a diverse growing research field of numerical cognition in Brazil; there is an emphasis on basic research, rather than applied research; most of the research is about children with learning disabilities or difficulties. Despite this growing research in the field, there are no recorded repercussions of the research in Brazil´s educational system, which is a very important challenge for Brazilian researchers.

Research on numerical cognition in Latin American countries (Investigación sobre cognición numérica en países latinoamericanos)

“…Research on numerical cognition in Latin America is still nascent. Still, it shows strength and a growing trend (Abreu-Mendoza, 2020; Dorneles, 2020; Koleszar et al, 2020; Obando-Zapata, Pontón-Ladino, Parada, & Villa-Ochoa, 2020; Pezzatti, Edelsztein, & Hermida, 2020; Reigosa-Crespo et al, 2020; Susperreguy, Peake, & Gómez, 2020). In each country, research and educational context are characterized by local hues.…”

“…Research groups are poorly integrated with each other at both intra- and international levels. References are made to cooperation with research centres in the northern hemisphere (Abreu-Mendoza, 2020; Dorneles, 2020; Koleszar et al, 2020; Reigosa-Crespo et al, 2020; Susperreguy et al, 2020). However, cross-country cooperation in Latin America itself seems to be virtually nonexistent.…”

“…La investigación sobre cognición numérica en Latinoamérica es aún incipiente. Sin embargo, revela solidez y una tendencia creciente (Abreu-Mendoza, 2020; Dorneles, 2020; Koleszar et al, 2020; Obando-Zapata, Pontón-Ladino, Parada, & Villa-Ochoa, 2020; Pezzatti, Edelsztein, & Hermida, 2020; Reigosa-Crespo et al, 2020; Susperreguy, Peake, & Gómez, 2020). En cada país, la investigación y el contexto educativo se caracterizan por matices locales.…”

“…Los grupos de investigación están deficientemente integrados entre sí, tanto a nivel interno como internacional. Se hacen referencias a la cooperación con centros de investigación en el hemisferio norte (Abreu-Mendoza, 2020; Dorneles, 2020; Koleszar et al, 2020; Reigosa-Crespo et al, 2020; Susperreguy et al, 2020). No obstante la cooperación entre países en Latinoamérica parece ser virtualmente inexistente.…”