Analysis of the dynamics of reasoning using multiple representations

Abstract

This paper presents a formalisation and analysis method for the dynamics of a reasoning process in which multiple representations play a role. Dynamics of reasoning processes are described by reasoning traces consisting of sequences of reasoning states over time. Reasoning states have a compositional structure; they are composed of different parts, for example, for different representations. Transitions between two reasoning states model reasoning steps. In relation to the compositional structure of the states, transitions are classified into a number of types. An example reasoning process involving multiple representations is used to illustrate how its dynamics can be formalised and analysed using the approach.