Relationship between Middle School Students’ Frequency of Participation in Lab Activities and Scientific Epistemological Beliefs: Turkish Case

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship of fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students' scientific epistemological beliefs with their frequency of participating in laboratory activities. For this purpose, correlational study method was used. Sample of the study involved 301 students purposively selected from convenient schools. The data of the study was collected by a Likert type scale called Scientific Epistemological Beliefs Scale and information form about frequency of participating in laboratory activities and description of sample laboratory activities. The findings showed that majority of the students never participated in lab activities or participated in one time during one year. Also the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students' scientific epistemological beliefs were significantly related to their frequency of participating in laboratory activities. They are positively correlated to each other. However there were no significant relationships between the students' scientific epistemological beliefs and their frequency of participating in laboratory activities. Hence it can be claimed that participating in lab activities is associated with development of sophisticated scientific epistemological beliefs.