University of Malta. Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate Lebanese middle school students’
definitions of science and perceptions of its purpose and usage. Participants were
80 grade 7 and grade 8 students randomly selected from four schools in Beirut,
Lebanon. Students filled an open-ended questionnaire and participated in followup
semi-structured interviews that aimed to generate in-depth profiles of their
views of the target aspects of nature of science (NOS). Participants’ science
teachers and school administrators were also interviewed regarding their views
of the same aspects. An iterative process consistent with analytic induction was
used to analyze the data and generate themes and categories that were
representative of participants’ views. Additionally, statistical analyses were
conducted to assess whether participants’ views were related to background and
academic variables. Results indicated that the greater majority of participants held
rather restricted views of science: they defined science as an academic subject
that ‘furnishes information about the world,’ perceived its purpose as preparation
for higher studies and careers, and mostly saw themselves and others using
science in academic—rather than everyday life, settings. Student views were
related to their socioeconomic status and type of school (public versus private).
Participant science teachers and school administrators held equally restricted views
of science. The views held by participants and their teachers are at odds with, and
might hinder the attainment of, currently advocated goals for science education,
which mainly aim to help students internalize more informed views of NOS as a
process and a way of generating valid knowledge about the natural world that is
relevant to students’ everyday personal and social, as well as academic, lives.peer-reviewe