A Microgenetic Study on Scientific Question Generating Ability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to apply the microgenetic analysis method for development of information on an individual's change in a certain area during a consistent time period to seek change in scientific questions that elementary school students create. The study subjects were six 6th graders in I elementary school located in Kyunggido with the students conducting 6 sessions of two observational tasks about dry grapes contained in soda pop and candlelight. Information were collected through students' scientific question development paper, record of field observation and interviews. The results of this study are as follows: first, the number of scientific questions that the elementary school students developed showed a tendency for reduction; second, the changes in type of scientific questions bring different results, which depend on a particular characteristic of the tasks; third, By observing pattern changes in scientific questions of each individual, it was found that different results show for each time for the same task, which in other words means that there exists variability within an individual. Also, variability between individuals were shown by confirming that the change pattern for each person were diverse. Thus, the result of this study shows the following implications on education of scientific question development. For students, scientific question development mean more opportunities to increase the process of developing and acquiring knowledge. Therefore, it is important to create situations where one can come up with scientific questions. In addition, analysis in tasks' nature when selecting tasks would be necessary to develop diverse scientific questions.