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Pre-Service Teachers' Levels of Distinguishing Science and Pseudoscience

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 2, 102 - 114, 30.12.2024
https://doi.org/10.47156/jide.1550120

Öz

This study aims to examine whether pre-service teachers can distinguish between pseudoscience and science. A survey method was used in this study. Data were gathered from 307 pre-service teachers studying in various fields at a public institution. They were split into two categories: "Natural Science and Mathematics Teaching" and "Social Sciences and Art Teaching." A Likert scale was used, consisting of four factors: "Pseudoscience," "Scientific Methods," "Discrimination between Science and Pseudoscience," and "Pseudoscientific Beliefs." As a result, pre-service teachers have a poor understanding of pseudoscience. They also struggle to differentiate between pseudoscience and science. An adequate grasp of scientific technique does not contribute positively to their pseudoscientific ideas. It is especially evident among those in the Social Sciences and Art Teaching fields who have not received specialised training in the history and philosophy of science. However, no significant difference is found in terms of gender in all four factors.

Kaynakça

  • Aarnio, K. & Lindeman, M. (2005). Paranormal beliefs, education, and thinking styles. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(7), 1227–1236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.04.009
  • Abd-El-Khalick, F., Waters, M., & Le, A. (2008). Representations of nature of science in high school chemistry textbooks over the past four decades. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(7), 835-855. http://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20226
  • Afonso, A. S. & Gilbert, J. K. (2010). Pseudoscience: A meaningful context for assessing nature of science. International Journal of Science Education, 32(3), 329-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690903055758
  • Ağlarcı, O. & Kabapınar, F. (2016). Developing prospective chemistry teachers' views of science and pseudoscience. Amasya Education Journal, 5(1), 248-286. https://doi.org/10.17539/aej.33301
  • Altındağ, C., Tunç Şahin, C., & Saka, Y. (2012). An example activity for teaching the nature of science. Journal of Inquiry Based Activities (JIBA), 2(1), 1-9. https://www.ated.info.tr/ojs-3.2.1-3/index.php/ated/article/view/81
  • Breakstone, J., Smith, M., Wineburg, S., Rapaport, A., Carle, J., Garland, M., & Saavedra, A. (2019). Students’ civic online reasoning: A national portrait. Stanford History Education Group & Gibson Consulting. https://purl.stanford.edu/gf151tb4868
  • Çetinkaya, E., Turgut, H., Duru, M. K., & Ercan, S. (2015). The first step in scientific literacy: improving students’ academic knowledge in the context of science – pseudoscience demarcation. Dicle University Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education Journal, 24, 446-476. https://doi.org/10.14582/DUZGEF.546
  • Gecewicz, C. (2018). ‘New Age’ beliefs common among both religious and nonreligious Americans. Pew Research Center. https://pewrsr.ch/2NR7Bme
  • George, D. & Mallery, M. (2010). SPSS for Windows step by step: a simple guide and reference, 17.0 update (10a ed.) Boston: Pearson
  • Gray, T. (1984). University course reduces belief in the paranormal. The Skeptical lnquirer, 8, 247-251.
  • Gül, Ş. (2016). Prospective biology, physics and chemistry teachers’ conceptions towards science-pseudoscience distinction. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 9(2), 177-197.
  • Gürgil, F. (2019). An analysis of the discrimination made by pre-service social studies teachers between science and pseudoscience. Journal of History School, 42, 965-984. https://doi.org/10.29228/joh.30213
  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2013). Multivariate data analysis. Pearson Education Limited.
  • Irez, S. (2008). Nature of science as depicted in Turkish biology textbooks. Science Education, 93(3), 422-447. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20305
  • Jackson, S.L. (2011). Research Methods and Statistics: A Critical Approach, 4th edition, Cengage Learning.
  • Keranto, T. (2001). The perceived credibility of scientific claims, paranormal phenomena, and miracles among primary teacher students: A comparative study. Science & Education, 10, 493–511. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1011261132355
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş. (2022). Pseudo-scientific beliefs and knowledge of the nature of science in pre-service teachers. International Journal of Research in Education and Science (IJRES), 8(4), 680-712. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.2899
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş. (2024). Pseudoscientific beliefs and media literacy. International Journal of Science Education, 46(17), 1811-1825. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2023.2300379
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş., Temiz, B. K., Tan, M. & İngeç, Ş. K. (2007). Sözel bölüm öğretmen adaylarının fen bilimlerine, fen eğitimine ve teknolojiye karşı tutumlarının araştırılması. Eğitim ve Bilim - Education and Science, 32(146), Ekim/October 2007, 80-88.
  • Kirman-Çetinkaya, E. & Laçin-Şimşek, C. (2012, June). Knowledge levels of prospective teachers regarding scientific method: Science-pseudo-science distinction. Presentation in 10th National Science and Mathematics Education Congress, Niğde, Turkey.
  • Kirman-Çetinkaya, E., Şimşek-Laçin, C. & Çalışkan, H. (2013). The adaptation study of science and pseudoscience distinction. Trakya University Journal of Education, 3(2), 31-43.
  • Lundström, M., & Jakobsson, A. (2009). Students' ideas regarding science and pseudoscience in relation to the human body and health. Nordic Studies in Science Education. 5(1), 3- 15. https://doi.org/10.5617/nordina.279
  • MacKenzie, A. H. (2020). Scientific Media Literacy, The Science Teacher, 87(5), 6.
  • Mencken, F. C., Bader, C. D., & Stark, R. (2008). Conventional Christian beliefs and experimentation with the paranormal. Review of Religious Research, 50, 194–205. https://www.baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stark_conventional-1.pdf
  • Mencken, F. C., Bader, C. D., & Kim, Y. J. (2009). Round trip to hell in a flying saucer: the relationship between conventional Christian and paranormal beliefs in the United States. Sociology of Religion, 70, 65–85. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srp013
  • National Science Board (2006). Science and engineering indicators - 2006. National Science Foundation Press.
  • Oothoudt, B. (2008). Development of an instrument to measure understanding of the nature of science as a process of inquiry in comparison to pseudoscience. Master Dissertation. Long Beach: California State University, Department of Science Education.
  • Peltzer, K. (2003). Magical thinking and paranormal beliefs among secondary and university students in South Africa. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1419–1426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00359-8
  • Preece, P. F. W. & Baxter, J. H. (2000). Scepticism and gullibility: the superstitious and pseudoscientific beliefs of secondary school students. International Journal of Science Education, 22(11), 1147-1156. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690050166724
  • Saka, M. & Sürmeli, H. (2017). Pre-service science teachers' use of NOS in pseudoscientific scenarios. Trakya Journal of Education, 7(2), 504-525. https://doi.org/10.24315/trkefd.305999
  • Shermer, M. (2002). Why people believe weird things: Pseudoscience, superstition, and other confusions of our time. Freeman and Company.
  • Silva, T. & Woody, A. (2022). Supernatural sociology: Americans’ beliefs by race/ethnicity, gender, and education. Socius, 8, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231221084775
  • Sjödin, U. (2002). The Swedes and the paranormal. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 17(1), 75-85, https://doi.org/10.1080/13537900120098174
  • Snow, C. & Collini, S. (2012). The Two Cultures (Canto Classics). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9781139196949
  • Şenler, B. & İrven, Ö. (2016). Primary pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs and pseudoscientific beliefs. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 12(2), 659-671. https://doi.org/10.17860/efd.25364
  • Turgut, H. (2007). Scientific literacy for all. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 40(2), 233-256. https://doi.org/10.1501/Egifak_0000000176
  • Turgut, H. (2009). Pre-service science teachers’ perceptions about demarcation of science from pseudoscience. Education and Science, 34(154), 50-69. http://egitimvebilim.ted.org.tr/index.php/EB/article/view/548/36
  • Uçar, M. B., & Şahin, E. (2018). Pre-service science teachers' discrimination level of science and pseudoscience. Science Education International, 29(4), 267-273.
  • Williams, E., Francis, L.J., & Robbins, M. (2007). Personality and paranormal belief: A study among adolescents. Pastoral Psychology, 56, 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-007-0094-x
  • Wilson, J. A. (2018). Reducing pseudoscientific and paranormal beliefs in university students through a course in science and critical thinking. Science & Education, 27, 183–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-018-9956-0
  • Woods, P. J. (1984). Evidence for the Effectiveness of a reading program in changing beliefs in the paranormal. The Skeptical Inquirer, 9(1), 67-70. https://skepticalinquirer.org/1984/10/evidence-for-the-effectiveness-of-a-reading-program/

Pre-Service Teachers' Levels of Distinguishing Science and Pseudoscience

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 2, 102 - 114, 30.12.2024
https://doi.org/10.47156/jide.1550120

Öz

This study aims to examine whether pre-service teachers can distinguish between pseudoscience and science. A survey method was used in this study. Data were gathered from 307 pre-service teachers studying in various fields at a public institution. They were split into two categories: "Natural Science and Mathematics Teaching" and "Social Sciences and Art Teaching." A Likert scale was used, consisting of four factors: "Pseudoscience," "Scientific Methods," "Discrimination between Science and Pseudoscience," and "Pseudoscientific Beliefs." As a result, pre-service teachers have a poor understanding of pseudoscience. They also struggle to differentiate between pseudoscience and science. An adequate grasp of scientific technique does not contribute positively to their pseudoscientific ideas. It is especially evident among those in the Social Sciences and Art Teaching fields who have not received specialised training in the history and philosophy of science. However, no significant difference is found in terms of gender in all four factors.

Kaynakça

  • Aarnio, K. & Lindeman, M. (2005). Paranormal beliefs, education, and thinking styles. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(7), 1227–1236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.04.009
  • Abd-El-Khalick, F., Waters, M., & Le, A. (2008). Representations of nature of science in high school chemistry textbooks over the past four decades. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(7), 835-855. http://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20226
  • Afonso, A. S. & Gilbert, J. K. (2010). Pseudoscience: A meaningful context for assessing nature of science. International Journal of Science Education, 32(3), 329-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690903055758
  • Ağlarcı, O. & Kabapınar, F. (2016). Developing prospective chemistry teachers' views of science and pseudoscience. Amasya Education Journal, 5(1), 248-286. https://doi.org/10.17539/aej.33301
  • Altındağ, C., Tunç Şahin, C., & Saka, Y. (2012). An example activity for teaching the nature of science. Journal of Inquiry Based Activities (JIBA), 2(1), 1-9. https://www.ated.info.tr/ojs-3.2.1-3/index.php/ated/article/view/81
  • Breakstone, J., Smith, M., Wineburg, S., Rapaport, A., Carle, J., Garland, M., & Saavedra, A. (2019). Students’ civic online reasoning: A national portrait. Stanford History Education Group & Gibson Consulting. https://purl.stanford.edu/gf151tb4868
  • Çetinkaya, E., Turgut, H., Duru, M. K., & Ercan, S. (2015). The first step in scientific literacy: improving students’ academic knowledge in the context of science – pseudoscience demarcation. Dicle University Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education Journal, 24, 446-476. https://doi.org/10.14582/DUZGEF.546
  • Gecewicz, C. (2018). ‘New Age’ beliefs common among both religious and nonreligious Americans. Pew Research Center. https://pewrsr.ch/2NR7Bme
  • George, D. & Mallery, M. (2010). SPSS for Windows step by step: a simple guide and reference, 17.0 update (10a ed.) Boston: Pearson
  • Gray, T. (1984). University course reduces belief in the paranormal. The Skeptical lnquirer, 8, 247-251.
  • Gül, Ş. (2016). Prospective biology, physics and chemistry teachers’ conceptions towards science-pseudoscience distinction. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 9(2), 177-197.
  • Gürgil, F. (2019). An analysis of the discrimination made by pre-service social studies teachers between science and pseudoscience. Journal of History School, 42, 965-984. https://doi.org/10.29228/joh.30213
  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2013). Multivariate data analysis. Pearson Education Limited.
  • Irez, S. (2008). Nature of science as depicted in Turkish biology textbooks. Science Education, 93(3), 422-447. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20305
  • Jackson, S.L. (2011). Research Methods and Statistics: A Critical Approach, 4th edition, Cengage Learning.
  • Keranto, T. (2001). The perceived credibility of scientific claims, paranormal phenomena, and miracles among primary teacher students: A comparative study. Science & Education, 10, 493–511. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1011261132355
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş. (2022). Pseudo-scientific beliefs and knowledge of the nature of science in pre-service teachers. International Journal of Research in Education and Science (IJRES), 8(4), 680-712. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.2899
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş. (2024). Pseudoscientific beliefs and media literacy. International Journal of Science Education, 46(17), 1811-1825. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2023.2300379
  • Kızılcık, H. Ş., Temiz, B. K., Tan, M. & İngeç, Ş. K. (2007). Sözel bölüm öğretmen adaylarının fen bilimlerine, fen eğitimine ve teknolojiye karşı tutumlarının araştırılması. Eğitim ve Bilim - Education and Science, 32(146), Ekim/October 2007, 80-88.
  • Kirman-Çetinkaya, E. & Laçin-Şimşek, C. (2012, June). Knowledge levels of prospective teachers regarding scientific method: Science-pseudo-science distinction. Presentation in 10th National Science and Mathematics Education Congress, Niğde, Turkey.
  • Kirman-Çetinkaya, E., Şimşek-Laçin, C. & Çalışkan, H. (2013). The adaptation study of science and pseudoscience distinction. Trakya University Journal of Education, 3(2), 31-43.
  • Lundström, M., & Jakobsson, A. (2009). Students' ideas regarding science and pseudoscience in relation to the human body and health. Nordic Studies in Science Education. 5(1), 3- 15. https://doi.org/10.5617/nordina.279
  • MacKenzie, A. H. (2020). Scientific Media Literacy, The Science Teacher, 87(5), 6.
  • Mencken, F. C., Bader, C. D., & Stark, R. (2008). Conventional Christian beliefs and experimentation with the paranormal. Review of Religious Research, 50, 194–205. https://www.baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stark_conventional-1.pdf
  • Mencken, F. C., Bader, C. D., & Kim, Y. J. (2009). Round trip to hell in a flying saucer: the relationship between conventional Christian and paranormal beliefs in the United States. Sociology of Religion, 70, 65–85. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srp013
  • National Science Board (2006). Science and engineering indicators - 2006. National Science Foundation Press.
  • Oothoudt, B. (2008). Development of an instrument to measure understanding of the nature of science as a process of inquiry in comparison to pseudoscience. Master Dissertation. Long Beach: California State University, Department of Science Education.
  • Peltzer, K. (2003). Magical thinking and paranormal beliefs among secondary and university students in South Africa. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1419–1426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00359-8
  • Preece, P. F. W. & Baxter, J. H. (2000). Scepticism and gullibility: the superstitious and pseudoscientific beliefs of secondary school students. International Journal of Science Education, 22(11), 1147-1156. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690050166724
  • Saka, M. & Sürmeli, H. (2017). Pre-service science teachers' use of NOS in pseudoscientific scenarios. Trakya Journal of Education, 7(2), 504-525. https://doi.org/10.24315/trkefd.305999
  • Shermer, M. (2002). Why people believe weird things: Pseudoscience, superstition, and other confusions of our time. Freeman and Company.
  • Silva, T. & Woody, A. (2022). Supernatural sociology: Americans’ beliefs by race/ethnicity, gender, and education. Socius, 8, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231221084775
  • Sjödin, U. (2002). The Swedes and the paranormal. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 17(1), 75-85, https://doi.org/10.1080/13537900120098174
  • Snow, C. & Collini, S. (2012). The Two Cultures (Canto Classics). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9781139196949
  • Şenler, B. & İrven, Ö. (2016). Primary pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs and pseudoscientific beliefs. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 12(2), 659-671. https://doi.org/10.17860/efd.25364
  • Turgut, H. (2007). Scientific literacy for all. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 40(2), 233-256. https://doi.org/10.1501/Egifak_0000000176
  • Turgut, H. (2009). Pre-service science teachers’ perceptions about demarcation of science from pseudoscience. Education and Science, 34(154), 50-69. http://egitimvebilim.ted.org.tr/index.php/EB/article/view/548/36
  • Uçar, M. B., & Şahin, E. (2018). Pre-service science teachers' discrimination level of science and pseudoscience. Science Education International, 29(4), 267-273.
  • Williams, E., Francis, L.J., & Robbins, M. (2007). Personality and paranormal belief: A study among adolescents. Pastoral Psychology, 56, 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-007-0094-x
  • Wilson, J. A. (2018). Reducing pseudoscientific and paranormal beliefs in university students through a course in science and critical thinking. Science & Education, 27, 183–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-018-9956-0
  • Woods, P. J. (1984). Evidence for the Effectiveness of a reading program in changing beliefs in the paranormal. The Skeptical Inquirer, 9(1), 67-70. https://skepticalinquirer.org/1984/10/evidence-for-the-effectiveness-of-a-reading-program/
Toplam 41 adet kaynakça vardır.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil İngilizce
Konular Fen ve Matematik Alanları Eğitimi (Diğer)
Bölüm Makaleler
Yazarlar

Hasan Şahin Kızılcık 0000-0001-8622-0765

Yayımlanma Tarihi 30 Aralık 2024
Gönderilme Tarihi 14 Eylül 2024
Kabul Tarihi 1 Kasım 2024
Yayımlandığı Sayı Yıl 2024 Cilt: 6 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA Kızılcık, H. Ş. (2024). Pre-Service Teachers’ Levels of Distinguishing Science and Pseudoscience. Journal of Individual Differences in Education, 6(2), 102-114. https://doi.org/10.47156/jide.1550120