Pre-service Primary School Teachers’ Scientific Epistemological Beliefs and Attitudes toward Science: Is there a Relationship?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine pre-service primary school teachers’ scientific epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward science. The study also investigated whether there was a relationship between epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward science. Sample of the study consisted of 90 students pursuing their third year in primary teacher education at Giresun University, which is located in northeastern part of Turkey. Data for the study were collected through the use of the Scientific Epistemological Beliefs Scale and the Attitudes toward Science Scale. Means, t-test, and correlation analysis were used to analyze data. Findings showed that these pre-service primary school teachers’ scientific epistemological beliefs differentiated for the dimensions of the scale from relatively naive to sophisticated beliefs. There were no significant differences between male and female pre-service teachers in terms of scientific epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward science. Results also showed a positive significant correlation between the scientific epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward science.