Analysis of students’ scientific reasoning ability on static fluid topics

Abstract

The aim of the research was to identify the Scientific Reasoning abilities of high school students on the topic of Static Fluids. This type of research is a quantitative survey design. This survey research involved 78 class XII students at a private high school in East Java, Indonesia who had taken the material. This research uses a Scientific Reasoning Test instrument in the form of an essay with 7 questions at the HOTS level with Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of 0.77. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics followed by classification based on the Static Fluid subtopic and level of Scientific Reasoning ability. The survey results show that the average score of students is 20.15 with a concrete operational level. The results of other studies indicate that the subtopics all at the concrete operational level. Meanwhile, if we look at the scientific reasoning indicators, it is found that the proportional reasoning indicators are the most problematic, with an average of 18.43 level 1. Scientific reasoning abilities are related to the mastery of concepts and learning experienced by students, therefore it is necessary to use learning that can explore these abilities such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM).