Changes in Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Approaches to Socioscientific Issues Teaching and Argumentation Following Argumentation-Based Science Learning: An Investigation in the Context of Cognitive Style
Abstract
This study examined changes in pre-service science teachers' affective dispositions towards teaching socioscientific issues (SSI) and factors influencing argumentation instruction following participation in argumentation-based science learning (ABSL), with consideration of their cognitive styles. A one-group pre-test–post-test quasi-experimental design was utilized, involving 11 second-year pre-service science teachers. Cognitive styles were assessed using the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT). The Affective Disposition towards Teaching SSI (ADT_SSI) scale and the Scale of Factors Affecting Argumentation (SFAAT) were administered as pre- and post-tests. Based on the normality of pre–post difference scores, paired-samples t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used, with Cohen’s d or r as effect sizes. Significant increases were found in ATSSI self-efficacy (z = −2.81, p = .01, r = .85) and perceived benefit and importance (z = −2.33, p = .02, r = .70), both with large effects. Changes in pedagogical content knowledge and attitude were not significant; however, pedagogical content knowledge showed a medium effect (d = .59). No significant changes were found in the SFAAT dimensions, although goals and outcomes showed a medium effect (d = .52). Descriptive change scores varied across cognitive-style groups, with field-dependent participants showing larger gains in several, but not all, dimensions. These findings provide preliminary evidence regarding changes following ABSL and highlight the potential role of cognitive style.
Keywords
socioscientific issues, argumantation, cognitive style, pre-service science teachers
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References
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