Turkish Preservice Science Teachers’ Informal Reasoning Regarding Socioscientific Issues and the Factors Influencing Their Informal Reasoning

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Sami Topçu ◽  
Özgül Yılmaz-Tüzün ◽  
Troy D. Sadler
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Socioscientific Issues ◽  
Informal Reasoning ◽  
Preservice Science Teachers ◽  
Factors Influencing

scholarly journals Preservice Science Teachers’ Informal Reasoning about Hydroelectric Power Issue: The Effect of Attitudes towards Socio-scientific Issues and Media Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Bahadır Namdar ◽  
Burak Aydin ◽  
Sara Raven
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Science Teacher Education ◽  
Hydroelectric Power Plant ◽  
Socioscientific Issues ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Informal Reasoning ◽  
Preservice Science Teachers

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of media literacy and attitudes towards socioscientific issues as two major predictors of informal reasoning. A sample of 208 preservice science teachers completed an open-ended informal reasoning questionnaire on hydroelectric power plant issue, media literacy level determination scale, and attitudes towards socio-scientific issues scale. In this study, descriptive research method was used. We used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data. Results indicated that the participants frequently used ecological-oriented arguments. The participants least used health-oriented arguments. Regarding reasoning qualities, the participants typically created supportive arguments, rather than counterarguments and rebuttals. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed validity and reliability evidence consistent with previous research. Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived level of media literacy predicted informal reasoning. However, attitudes towards socioscientific issues did not explain informal reasoning. We offer implications for science teacher education programs.

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