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Analyzing Epistemological Beliefs in Science as Perceived by Elementary School Students

초등학교 학생의 과학에 대한 인식론적 신념 분석

  • Received : 2020.03.06
  • Accepted : 2020.04.21
  • Published : 2020.04.30

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze epistemological beliefs in science as perceived by elementary school students and to examine the purpose of science, the nature of scientific knowledge, the source of scientific knowledge, and the role of experimentation. The subjects of this study were 99 elementary school students. As a tool for examining epistemological beliefs in science, we used adapted questionnaires comprising elements constituting epistemological beliefs, as proposed by Elder (1999). The results of the analysis are as follows: First, in terms of the purpose of science, sixth graders had the most modern beliefs compared to other grades. Second, a statistical significance was found between fourth graders and students in other grades based on the analysis of the nature of scientific knowledge. Third, there was no significant difference in each grade's beliefs concerning the source of scientific knowledge or the role of the experiment.

이 연구의 목적은 초등학교 학생들의 과학에 대한 인식론적 신념을 분석하여 그들의 과학의 목적, 과학 지식의 본성, 과학 지식의 근원, 과학에서의 실험의 역할에 대한 신념의 특징을 알아보고자 하는 것이다. 본 연구의 대상은 S시에 위치한 K 초등학교 4-6학년 학생 99명이고, 과학에 대한 인식론적 신념을 검사하기 위한 도구로 Elder(1999)가 그의 연구에서 제시한 과학에 대한 인식론적 신념을 구성하는 요소로 이루어진 검사지를 번안하여 사용하였다. 설문지 응답을 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 과학의 목적에 대한 인식론적 신념을 분석한 결과, 6학년이 가장 현대적인 신념을 보유하고 있었다. 둘째, 과학 지식의 본성에 대한 신념의 경우, 4학년이 5, 6학년과 통계적으로 유의미한 차이를 보였다. 셋째, 과학 지식의 근원과 과학에서의 실험의 역할에 대한 신념을 통계적으로 유의미한 차이를 나타내지 않았다.

Keywords

References

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