Lawson Classroom Test Of Scientific Reasoning Research Articles

The Impact of Online Cooperative Learning on Scientific Reasoning Skills and Motivation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all universities across Turkey transitioned to remote education as an urgent measure. Despite indications that the pandemic has subsided, online teaching practices continue to prevail in higher education. Accordingly, the purpose of this study, conducted under extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, is to examine the impact of online cooperative learning on the scientific reasoning skills and motivation of pre-service science teachers. A total of 54 students participated in the study, with 28 from the experimental group and 26 from the control group, following a non-equivalent control group design. The experimental group received instruction using the online cooperative learning, while the control group participated in large group discussions in an online environment in the context of a science teaching methods course. Data for the research were collected through pre-test and post-test administrations of the Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). According to the results, compared to whole-class discussions, online cooperative learning increased pre-service science teachers’ scientific reasoning skills and motivation. In conclusion, online cooperative learning is considered an effective method for enhancing the pre-service science teachers’ education, contributing to the further improvement of online teaching, which has become even more widespread due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research on Bibliometric Analysis of Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning in the Past Ten Years

The Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) is a popular instrument that measures the development of students’ scientific reasoning skills. Through large-scale applications, several issues have been observed in terms of validity, scoring, and the way of interpreting. This study aims to identify the contribution and describe the research profile of applying LCTSR in education during the last ten years. The method used in this research is a bibliometric analysis based on Scopus data with the help of Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The results of this study obtained 43 documents related to LCTSR. The results showed that the use of LCTSR every year has increased and decreased in the last ten years. Journals and proceedings in the field of physics dominate the publication sources for LCTSR research. Furthermore, Bao, Koenig, and Xiao were the three most prolific authors and also had research collaborations. The dominant country for publication is the United States. The area most often associated with LCTSR research is social science, whose purpose is to measure the development of student’s cognitive abilities. The scope of this research analysis is limited to certain databases or languages, so this study recommends finding renewed discussions about the use of LCTSR in education over a longer period of time.

Insights from coherence in students’ scientific reasoning skills

Improving scientific reasoning enables students to navigate the challenges of learning science. Teachers use Lawson's classroom test of scientific reasoning (LCTSR) to measure scientific reasoning. The LCTSR is a two-tiered assessment that uses content-based questions and explanation statements. Researchers have found that if a student answers a knowledge-based question correctly but selects an incorrect explanation statement, there may be an element of guessing or an established misconception. Misconceptions are beliefs that students hold that are not based on scientific evidence. The present study added a confidence variable to the LCTSR, which measures how confident students regarded their responses in both tiers. Selecting a correct response to a knowledge-based question while providing an incorrect explanation and having a high confidence rating indicates an established misconception. The confidence variable is, therefore, a measure of an established scientific misconception and is the basis of the present study. The present study analyzed the responses of 71 first-year university students enrolled in an introductory physics course. The LCTSR results indicate that students performed the best in the conservation reasoning dimension and the worst in the proportional reasoning dimension. In all scientific reasoning dimensions, more than half the students chose the incorrect explanation for each context question. Students' confidence responses surpassed their performance in three of the 14 LCTSR items. The low frequency of correct answers and the statistically significant correlation between LCTSR items and confidence suggest possible misconceptions in students' scientific reasoning skills.

Guided inquiry-based learning in secondary-school chemistry classes: a case study

Guided inquiry-based learning has been shown to be a promising method for science education; however, despite its advantages it is rarely used in chemistry teaching in Hungary. One of the reasons for this is the lack of tried-and-tested inquiry-based teaching materials with detailed guides that teachers can readily use in their classrooms. As part of a four-year research project, new teaching materials were designed to foster scientific reasoning and scientific process skills in chemistry education in Hungary. From these materials, in this study, a guided inquiry-based chemistry task was tested with 9th-grade students (N = 88) who had no previous experience with the method. Before the activity, the students’ mid-term grades were collected, and the Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) was administered to describe the sample. During the activity, students worked in groups (n = 21). Data were collected through content analysis of the student worksheets, classroom observations using a rubric, and student questionnaires to explore the learning paths and identify possible obstacles. Our findings support that guided inquiry learning is suitable for students who are new to the method if appropriate scaffolding is given. The data showed the phases of the inquiry cycle in which more guidance is necessary. Formulating hypotheses, recording observations, and evaluating the hypotheses based on the evidence were found to be the most critical steps in the learning process. More than half of the groups disregarded the collected evidence and accepted their original hypotheses, despite their unproven validity, suggesting that they did not understand the true nature of the scientific inquiry. Chemistry grades and the LCTSR scores could not predict reliably the students’ success in solving the inquiry task. The results of the student questionnaire showed that the students enjoyed the inquiry session. They mostly found their work successful, but they overestimated the level of their inquiry skills in some cases.

The measuring instrument of primitive physics problem for junior high school students: Compilation and Research

Problem representation in specific domains has raised great attention in the past years. In mainland China, research of the primitive physics problem teaching has been booming in the physics education domain recently. This study proposes six representations in the process of solving problems for middle school students, including abstraction representation, assignment representation, image representation, physics representation, methodology representation and mathematics representation. The measuring instrument of primitive physics problem for junior high school students was developed according to previous research and the principle of “Objectively Evaluating Subjective Questions”. The participants were 113 grade nine students in mainland China. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirm the effectiveness of the measuring instrument. A weak correlation between the measuring instrument of primitive physics problems and Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) was found. Therefore, we believe that the primitive physics problem solving ability is a unique ability which is different from the general reasoning ability. This study demonstrates that using the measuring instrument of primitive physics problem to measure junior high school students’ ability of problem solving is promising.

ANALYSIS OF TWO-TIER QUESTION SCORING METHODS: A CASE STUDY ON THE LAWSON’S CLASSROOM TEST OF SCIENTIFIC REASONING

The Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) is a popular instrument that measures the development of students’ scientific reasoning skills. The instrument has a two-tier question design, which has led to multiple ways of scoring and interpretation. In this research, a method of pattern analysis was proposed and applied to analyze two-tier item pairs on the subskill of Control-of-Variable (COV) of LCTSR. The data were collected from students in grade 4 through college in both the United States and China. Students’ response patterns to two combined item pairs were analyzed and compared against students at different grade levels and reasoning development levels. Six performance levels were established based on students’ response patterns, serving as indicators of COV reasoning development levels. With the new method, a relation was obtained between students’ level of COV skills and grade level, as well as their level of overall reasoning development. It can provide useful information on the possible developmental levels of students’ reasoning skills. Keywords: control-of-variable, grade level, pattern analysis, scientific reasoning

Modelling instruction effect with different reasoning ability on physics conceptual understanding by controlling the prior knowledge

Modelling instruction is systematic instructional activity for constructing and applying scientific knowledge in Physics lesson. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of Modelling instruction with different reasoning abilities on understanding physical concepts by controlling students’ prior knowledge. This research used experimental method with 2x2 factorial design with two Modelling instruction classes and two conventional classes with a total of 176 students. The instrument used was reasoning ability test, prior knowledge test, and physics concept test. It used LCTSR (Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning) instrument. Prior knowledge test instruments consisted of 25 problems to identify how deep the students understand the topic before they undergo the learning process and physics concept test consisted of 25 problems. Based on the statistical test using two factor Ancova, it proved that there was a significant difference in students’ ability to master the physics concept between using Modelling instruction learning model and using conventional learning model. The result showed that the Modelling instruction increasing conceptual understanding better than conventional learning. There are two important parts in the Modelling instruction that are model development and model deployment. This study also confirms that there are significant differences in understanding the concepts between students of high reasoning ability and low reasoning ability. Students with high reasoning abilities have a better understanding of concepts than students with low reasoning abilities.

Profil Tingkat Penalaran Ilmiah Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas Pada Materi Ekosistem

Scientific Reasoning is the systematic and logical thinking skills for problem solving. The purpose of this preliminary study is to find out the scientific reasoning profile of students in grade XI of Sukabumi City Public High School on Ecosystem material which was conducted in February in the 3rd week in one of the Sukabumi City State High Schools. This research uses descriptive method, the approach used is quantitative approach. Samples were taken using a purposive sampling technique of 30 students. This research instrument was in the form of a scientific reasoning test developed by Lawson namely the LCTSR (Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning) type. The questions used consist of 35 multiple choice questions with LCTSR type with 6 indicators of scientific reasoning namely proportional, probabilistic, correlational, identification and control of variables, volume conservation and hypothetic-deductive. Data analysis with scoring technique is done in pairs which gives a description of the pattern and level of students' scientific reasoning abilities. From the results of the study showed that the scientific reasoning profile of class XI State Senior High School students in Sukabumi City in 2019/2020 had the highest reasoning pattern in the transitional operational category of 76.7% and had a level of scientific reasoning in the less-than-average category. average percentage of 30.05%. But these results must still be improved again by using methods, models and learning approaches that are able to train students' scientific reasoning.

Argument-driven inquiry instruction to facilitate scientific reasoning of 11th grade students in light and visual instrument topic

Scientific reasoning is one of the most important processes for developing scientific knowledge and also one of the skills required for students to handle open ended real world tasks in their future career. This research aims to develop the scientific reasoning of 11th grade students through argument driven inquiry instruction (ADI) in the topic of light and visual instrument. The participants were 24 11th grade science emphasized program students. They were selected by purposive sampling. Research instruments were comprised of Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) and student reports. The data were analysed by using qualitative data analysis and quantitative data analysis, which were content analysis, mean and percentage. The student’s scientific reasoning measured by the pre and post LCTSR improved from 11 to 48 percentages. The results from student reports indicated 42 percentages of participants had good scientific reasoning. The argument processes, both verbal and written, are keys to practice and develop student’s scientific reasoning.

Identify Students’ Scientific Reasoning Ability at Senior High School

This study aims to identify students’ scientific reasoning ability in SMAN 3 Surakarta. The ability of scientific reasoning is an important factor to encourage students’ thinking ability in learning. The method used in this study is a descriptive method with 88 students 11th-grade taken at random. The data of scientific reasoning obtained through written test using the Lawson classroom test of scientific reasoning (LCTSR), instrument test that used consists of 12 items two tier multiple-choice that contains 6 scientific reasoning domain 1) Conservation of Mass and Volume (CMV), 2) Proportional Thinking (PPT), 3) Control of Variables (CV), 4) Probabilistic Thinking (PBT), 5) Correlational Thinking (CT), and 6) Hypothetical-deductive Reasoning (HDR). The domains are used as the basis for grouping students’ scientific reasoning abilities into three levels: concrete reasoning, transitional, and formal reasoning. The results showed that 51.14% of the students were at the level of concrete reasoning, 42,05% at the transitional level, and 6,81% at the formal reasoning level. This can be a reflection of whether the physics learning that has been implemented is able to encourage students’ scientific reasoning ability. The information can be used as a consideration in the selection of appropriate models, methods, and physics learning media.

Effects of Modeling Instruction Professional Development on Biology Teachers’ Scientific Reasoning Skills

International assessments have revealed that students in numerous nations lack scientific reasoning skills. Science teachers who support students’ scientific skill development through the use of authentic practices provide students with tools needed for success in future science courses. Teachers training focused on pedagogy that supports student scientific reasoning development is particularly important as some studies have also suggested that pre-service teachers have a tendency to display a lack of scientific reasoning skills. Additionally, few studies exist that assess teachers’ scientific reasoning skills, including the effectiveness of professional development to strengthen teacher scientific reasoning abilities over time. To help fill this gap, this study examines the effects of a Modeling Instruction in a biology workshop on teachers’ scientific reasoning skills. In addition to teacher interviews, focus groups, and writing samples, data from Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) were collected from teachers before and after the workshop. The results suggest that the three-week Modeling Instruction in the biology workshop contributed to gains in in-service teachers’ scientific reasoning, and thus provides evidence that the teachers in this study are more prepared to help develop similar skills with their own students as they engage in the Modeling Instruction curriculum.

The Analysis of Students Scientific Reasoning Ability in Solving the Modified Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (MLCTSR) Problems by Applying the Levels of Inquiry

<p>This study aims to determine the students’ achievement in answering modified lawson classroom test of scientific reasoning (MLCTSR) questions in overall science teaching and by every aspect of scientific reasoning abilities. There are six aspects related to the scientific reasoning abilities that were measured; they are conservatorial reasoning, proportional reasoning, controlling variables, combinatorial reasoning, probabilistic reasoning, correlational reasoning. The research is also conducted to see the development of scientific reasoning by using levels of inquiry models. The students reasoning ability was measured using the Modified Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (MLCTSR). MLCTSR is a test developed based on the test of scientific reasoning of Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) in 2000 which amounted to 12 multiple-choice questions. The research method chosen in this study is descriptive quantitative research methods. The research design used is One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The population of this study is the entire junior high students class VII the academic year 2014/2015 in one junior high school in Bandung. The samples in this study are one of class VII, which is class VII C. The sampling method used in this research is purposive sampling. The results showed that there is an increase in quantitative scientific reasoning although its value is not big.</p>

Variations in University Students’ Scientific Reasoning Skills Across Majors, Years, and Types of Institutions

This study investigates three aspects—university major, year, and institution type—in relation to student scientific reasoning. Students from three majors (science, engineering, and education), four year levels (years 1 through 4), and two tiers of Chinese universities (tiers 1 and 2) participated in the study. A large-scale written assessment was conducted using the Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR). A series of analysis of variance showed that, although science and engineering majors exhibited higher reasoning skills than education majors and first-tier university attendees higher than second-tier university attendees, student reasoning skills measured by the LCTSR remained nearly constant across the four year levels of higher education, a recurring pattern for all majors and university tiers. Results suggest that current higher education in China has little influence on student scientific reasoning, regardless of what students learn, how long they receive higher education, and what type of institutions they attend. Implications of the study call our attention to the status quo and urge us to rethink meaningful ways that can help students increase key proficiencies needed in scientific practices, such as successful reasoning skills.

Does Higher Education Improve Student Scientific Reasoning Skills?

An ultimate goal of higher education is to prepare our future workers with needed knowledge and skills. This includes cultivating students to become proficient reasoners who can utilize proper scientific reasoning to devise causal inferences from observations. Conventionally, students with more years of higher education are expected to have a greater level of scientific reasoning. Also expected traditionally is that studying science and engineering or attending top-rated universities can better promote students’ scientific reasoning than studying other majors or attending lower ranked institutions. In this study, we used Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) with 1,637 Chinese students in different years of study, different fields, and different university tiers. It was found that regardless of which major or university students entered, their scientific reasoning measured by the LCTSR showed little variation across the entire 4 years of undergraduate education. Simply put, there was little association between tertiary-level learning and scientific reasoning. This study calls our attention to the status quo of higher education and motivates researchers across the globe to look into this issue in their own nations.

Effect of Gender on Student's Scientific Reasoning Ability: A Case Study in Thailand

As scientific literacy is currently considered the central goal for development of the 21st century citizens, scientific reasoning ability is determined as an important factor for fostering student performance in science learning. Many science education researchers have reported that gender influenced student's understanding and their attitudes toward science. However, there are not much investigation in the area of the interactions between gender and scientific reasoning ability. In order to gain more understanding on issue, this study aims to examine the effect of gender on student's scientific reasoning ability in a context of Thailand. A total of 400 Grade 11 students from four co-educational schools in Northeastern region of Thailand participated in the study. The widely used and pre-validated Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) Lawson (2000) was administered to investigate student's scientific reasoning ability in six constructs namely (i) Conservation of Mass and Volume (CMV), (ii) Proportional Thinking (PPT), (iii) Control of Variables (CV), (iv) Probabilistic Thinking (PBT), (v) Correlational Thinking (CT), and (vi) Hypothetical-deductive Reasoning (HDR). The results indicated that the gender does not significantly impact on student's scientific reasoning ability for each construct. In addition, the lowest mean score for the student's scientific reasoning ability were HDR, CV, PPT, respectively, for both genders. The finding of this indicated that there is critical area for improvement of student's scientific reasoning ability. This also implied that instructional pedagogy in science classroom should be more emphasized on the way of teaching that (i) how to reason casually based on hypothesis generation (ii) how to design well fair science experiment, and (iii) how to determine correlation and conversation between target variables, in order to enhance the development of student's scientific reasoning ability.

Scientific reasoning abilities of nonscience majors in physics-based courses

We have found that non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors taking either a conceptual physics or astronomy course at two regional comprehensive institutions score significantly lower preinstruction on the Lawson's Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) in comparison to national average STEM majors. Based on LCTSR score, the majority of non-STEM students can be classified as either concrete operational or transitional reasoners in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, whereas in the STEM population formal operational reasoners are far more prevalent. In particular, non-STEM students demonstrate significant difficulty with proportional and hypothetico-deductive reasoning. Prescores on the LCTSR are correlated with normalized learning gains on various concept inventories. The correlation is strongest for content that can be categorized as mostly theoretical, meaning a lack of directly observable exemplars, and weakest for content categorized as mostly descriptive, where directly observable exemplars are abundant. Although the implementation of research-verified, interactive engagement pedagogy can lead to gains in content knowledge, significant gains in theoretical content (such as force and energy) are more difficult with non-STEM students. We also observe no significant gains on the LCTSR without explicit instruction in scientific reasoning patterns. These results further demonstrate that differences in student populations are important when comparing normalized gains on concept inventories, and the achievement of significant gains in scientific reasoning requires a reevaluation of the traditional approach to physics for non-STEM students.

Influence of Three Different Methods of Teaching Physics on the Gain in Students' Development of Reasoning

The Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) was used to gauge the relative effectiveness of three different methods of pedagogy, Reading, Presenting, and Questioning (RPQ), Experimenting and Discussion (ED), and Traditional Methods (TM), on increasing students' level of scientific thinking. The data of a one-semester-long senior high-school project indicate that, for the LCTSR: (a) the RPQ group (n = 91) achieved effect-sizes d = 0.30 and (b) the ED group (n = 85) attained effect-sizes d = 0.64. These methods have shown that the Piagetian and Vygotskian visions on learning and teaching can go hand in hand and as such achieve respectable results. To do so, it is important to challenge the students and thus encourage the shift towards higher levels of reasoning. This aim is facilitated through class management which recognizes the importance of collaborative learning. Carrying out Vygotsky's original intention to use teaching to promote cognitive development as well as subject concepts, this research has shown that it is better to have students experience cognitive conflict from directly observed experiments than by reflecting on reported experience from popularization papers or writings found on the internet.