2025 Theses Doctoral

Integration Into the Mathematics Community: An Exploratory Interpretative Phenomenological Study Based on Mathematics High School Research Mentorships

Delgado, Anthony

This dissertation examines how high school mathematics research mentorships shape students' integration into mathematics through the development of self-efficacy, identity, and values. Using the Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence (TIMSI) as a theoretical framework, this study investigates the mechanisms through which mentorship experiences foster these developmental constructs.

Through in-depth interviews analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research reveals how adaptive scaffolding, professional skill building, collaborative dynamics, and fostering belonging interact to support mentees' growth.

The findings highlight the importance of domain-specific mentoring strategies, thoughtful selection of research questions, and real-world applications in fostering engagement. The study also reveals significant equity concerns, as most participants attended well-resourced schools with established research cultures. Recommendations include expanding access through virtual mentorships and regional initiatives. While limitations include sample diversity and retrospective design, these constraints inform future research directions in mentorship scalability and longitudinal impact.

This research extends TIMSI to the high school mathematics context while providing actionable recommendations for mentorship program design. The findings inform strategies for expanding access to research mentorships, particularly for students in underserved communities, while maintaining program quality and effectiveness. This study addresses critical gaps in understanding how early research experiences shape students' mathematical development and integration into the field.