11 research outputs found
The relationship between students' views of the nature of science and their views of the nature of scientific measurement
The present study explores the relationship between studentsâ views on the nature of science (NOS) and their views of the nature of scientific measurement. A questionnaire with two-tier diagnostic multiple choice items on both the NOS and measurement was administered to 179 first year physics students with diverse school experiences. Studentsâ views on the NOS were classified into four âNOS profilesâ and views on measurement were classified according to either the point or set paradigms. The findings show that students with a NOS profile which is dominated by a belief that the laws of nature are to be discovered by scientists, are more likely to have a view of the nature of scientific measurement characterised by a belief in âtrueâ values. On the other hand, students who believe that scientific theories are inventions of scientists, constructed from observations which are then validated through further experimentation, are more likely to have a view of the nature of scientific measurement which is underpinned by the uncertain nature of scientific evidence. The implications for teaching scientific measurement at tertiary level are discussed
The Relationship between Studentsâ Views of the Nature of Science and their Views of the Nature of Scientific Measurement
Global environmental change and food systems in Southern Africa: The dynamic challenges facing regional policy
Please help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected] En BestuurswetenskappeSkool vir Publieke Leierska