Assessing Pre-Service Teachers' Understandings Of The Nature Of Scientific Knowledge Via Media Reports

Abstract

This study aims to examine the usability of media reports as an alternative technique to assess how pre-service teachers' understandings on the characteristics of scientific knowledge differ in a presented media reports. Fifty pre-service mathematics teachers, who were enrolled in department of teaching mathematics at the secondary level, participated in this research study. Media reports were used to assess participants' understandings of the nature of scientific knowledge. Data were analyzed by open coding and the codes were categorized to determine conceptual constructs. Analysis of qualitative data gathered via media reports revealed that pre-service teachers hold inadequate understanding about the nature of scientific knowledge.

Keywords

• nature of science
• media reports
• pre-service teachers
• nature of scientific knowledge
• bilimin doğası
• medya haberleri
• öğretmen adayları
• bilimsel bilginin doğası.