This work presents a study, aiming to reflect on research approaches in Mathematics Education, in Brazil and worldwide. It presents reference elements to think about and reflect on the educational research activity, related to mathematics education, through several bibliographic sources, such as: books, periodicals, annals of mathematics education or education events, related to the research theme. The results obtained indicate that the diversity of research approaches in Mathematical Education comes from the different methodological currents, configured in the last decades, with a strong emphasis on research in Social Sciences and Education, projecting a kind of epistemological spread. These epistemological projections, point to current challenges, such as: producing generalizable results and approaching Basic Education; develop research trend repositories; increase the amount of network research and the production of suitable materials for those who do not like mathematics.