Pursuing the traces of mathematical reasoning

Reasoning is the process of thinking used to make claims and reach conclusions. It is among the first skills that should be taught to students in mathematics lessons and contributes to the creation and development of mathematical foundations. This study identifies evolution and trends in research on mathematical reasoning over the last four decades. Bibliometric analysis was used to reveal the intellectual architecture of the field, as it provides a comprehensive method for exploring and analyzing large volumes of scientific data. The research is organized in a four-step framework, namely, investigation, representation, characterization, and confirmation. This study, which reveals other concepts in which mathematical reasoning is associated with the developmental stages, can help academics, instructors, students, and policymakers in mathematics and other fields obtain insight into areas that need additional research, as well as paving the way for future studies.