Application of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis in Educational Research: Distinguishing between Transmissive and Constructivist Oriented Mathematics Teachers

Anotace: Special questionnaire containing two sets of items related to teachers’ beliefs and current pedagogies was completed by 30 mathematics in-service teachers from 26 different lower secondary schools in Slovakia. Their responses were analysed by means of hierarchical cluster analysis. The clustering method was chosen by the correlation coefficient between Euclidean and dendrogram-predicted distances. Cluster analysis grouped the items of this questionnaire into four clusters, describing the following aspects: (1) discipline and classroom culture; (2) pedagogies and problem solving; (3) applications of mathematics and students’ activity during the lesson; and (4) teachers’ attitudes towards students’ individuality and mathematics. Teachers were grouped into two clusters. Based on the differences between responses we consider one cluster of teachers as transmissiveoriented and the second one as constructivist-oriented.