Student Scientific Reasoning Research Articles

Collaborative balance rule learning: Do students’ age, group composition, prior knowledge, and scientific reasoning skills matter?

Research on balance rule learning has focused on studies done in individual settings. This study investigates how students collaboratively learn balance rules and focuses especially on four variables that potentially affect rule development: student age, group composition, prior knowledge, and scientific reasoning skills. Eight-, ten- and twelve-year-old students collaboratively used a designed simulation-based learning environment with an open experimentation space and tasks that required progressively more complex balance rules. Students’ balance rules were tested before and after intervention with the Balance Scale Test and their scientific reasoning skills were tested with items from the Science-P Reasoning Inventory. The results show that the intervention was successful in developing students’ balance rules. Logistic regression show that the students’ previous knowledge was the only variable that affected the likelihood of rule development. Students’ with less complex pre-test rules developed their rules more often than students with more complex pre-test rules when controlling for the other variables. The results go against some previous findings and show that a collaborative setting can lead to balance rule learning with primary school aged students.

Project-Based Learning on STEAM-Based Student's Worksheet with Ecoprint Technique: Effects on Student Scientific Reasoning and Creativity

Project-Based Learning on STEAM-Based Student's Worksheet with Ecoprint Technique: Effects on Student Scientific Reasoning and Creativity

Study of Scientific Reasoning and Concept Mastery of Students Through Guided Inquiry Learning Model Assisted by Formative Assessment

Study of Scientific Reasoning and Concept Mastery of Students Through Guided Inquiry Learning Model Assisted by Formative Assessment

The Influence of Biodiversity Teaching Materials Based on Ethnobiological Studies on Students' Scientific Reasoning

The scientific reasoning of students at MA Negeri 1 Indramayu is in the moderate category. Biodiversity teaching materials based on ethnobiological studies have never been applied. This study aims to determine the influence of biodiversity teaching materials based on ethnobiological studies on the scientific reasoning of students at MA Negeri 1 Indramayu. The research method used, that is, quantitative. The design of this study, namely true experimental design with the type of posttest only control design. The population of this study, namely class X MA Negeri 1 Indramayu students consisting of 3 classes with a sample of class X MIPA 1 totaling 30 students as an experimental group and class X MIPA 3 totaling 29 students as a control group. The sampling technique uses cluster random sampling. The instruments used are in the form of tests and questionnaires. Data analysis using normality test, homogeneity test, t-test and likert scale. The results showed that the average scientific reasoning of the experimental group students was higher compared to the control group. Based on the hypothesis test value (thitung = 3.392 > ttabel 2.2002) so that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted, that is to say, there is a significant influence of biodiversity teaching materials based on ethnobiological studies on the scientific reasoning of students in MA Negeri 1 Indramayu. Students' scientific reasoning is in the high category with a percentage of 66.72%.

Mental model and scientific reasoning ability of chemistry education students during Covid-19 Pandemic online learning

This study aims to find: (1) the development of students' scientific reasoning abilities; (2) mental models developed by students in understanding the concept of dissolving weak acids and weak bases; and (3) the relationship between scientific reasoning abilities and mental models. The research approach is a descriptive study. The research subjects were 38 first-year students of the Chemical Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, The University of Mataram. The research data collected were scientific reasoning ability data and student mental model data on the concept of dissolving weak acids and weak bases. Students' scientific reasoning ability was measured using the revised Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (CTSR) instrument in 2000, developed by Lawson and translated into Indonesian. The translation test has a reliability coefficient, calculated by the KR-20 formula, of 0.74. Identification of mental models using written tests and interviews. The content validity of the mental model test instruments is 94.2%. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The identification of mental models is made by using a constant comparative technique. The results showed a delay in developing students' scientific reasoning abilities compared to the criteria set by Lawson. Most of the students developed initial mental models in understanding dissolving weak acids and bases. In addition, the higher the student's scientific reasoning ability, the mental model developed tends to approach the scientific mental model.

Connections between prior knowledge and collaborative skill on discussion group about solar system related to descriptive scientific reasoning

The aim of this study is to analysis the connections between student’ prior knowledge and collaborative skills in discussion groups associated with student scientific reasoning about the solar system. The student’ prior knowledge contributes to building student scientific reasoning and supported by collaborative skills through discussion groups. The analysis between two variables that influence student scientific reasoning, namely prior knowledge and student collaborative skills. Method of this study is quasy experimental design with quatitative approach. The group of student who took part in the astronomy lecture consisted of 5 groups each of which 6 student. The results of the prior analysis of student’ knowledge of each group is quite low. Process, project and outcome predictions regarding prior knowledge and collaborative skills related to the formation of scientific reasoning have a high enough category in the aspect of results and a fairly low category in the process aspect. After the implementation of collaborative learning through discussion shows the results of research that significant relation between student’ prior knowledge and student collaborative skills that strengt then student scientific reasoning. Student tend to build scientific reasoning based on prior knowledge and discussion in collaborative learning. This is prior knowledge significantly influences the chronology of student in the discussion. Other found student with low prior knowledge experienced an increase in scientific reasoning through interaction and discussion in collaborative learning.

Designing a field trip: The role of multiple intelligence and scientific reasoning

Field trip is one learning method that provides direct experience for students to be able to interact with the surrounding environment. In Biology class, field trip is one of the keys when students want to observe natural phenomena. This study aim to identify student multiple intelligences and scientific reasoning profile as a reference in designing a field trip for high school students on ecosystem topics. The subjects in this study were 55 students from two classes of 10th grade in even semester with purposive sampling. Data collection using Teen MIDAS (15-19 years) to identify student multiple intelligence and TOLT instruments for student scientific reasoning profile. The results of this study indicate that there are 3 types of intelligence that are most prominent, namely naturalistic, interpersonal and logical-mathematical as for future reference to dividing groups based on these three intelligences. In addition, student scientific reasoning which was found to be at 66% formal operation, 22% transitional and 12% concrete operation stage indicated that the design of the field trip that had to be prepared to have a level of analysis with one or two variables. There are still many students who have not been able to solve combinatorial reasoning. Thus it can be concluded that the best field trip design for this group of student is a design with worksheet that featured naturalistic, interpersonal and logical-mathematical with no more than two variables involved.

The Effect of Project-Based Learning in STEM on Students’ Scientific Reasoning

Scientific reasoning is the ability to face competition in the 21st century, so students must have this ability. Project-based learning (PjBL) will train students to improve their scientific reasoning. This study aims to analyze the influence of PjBL in STEM on students’ scientific reasoning on fluid. This research was the quantitative method with the pretest/posttest control group design. The subjects of this study were 66 high school students of grade XI. Instruments for collecting data collection was the written test with a reliability coefficient of 0.87. The results of the study indicate that the scientific reasoning of students who are leaning through PjBL in STEM is higher than that of students who learn through regular learning. In designing the project, students also train to reason scientifically by considering the size of the products that are made to produce a product that can work well. However, the STEM integrated PjBL is still not optimal in improving aspects of probabilistic reasoning and controlling variables.

The Potential of RICOSRE in Improving Scientific Reasoning of Students with Different Academic Ability

Abstract: The research aims to analyze the potential of the RICOSRE learning model in improving students' scientific reasoning abilities on different academic abilities. This research is a quasi-experimental research. SMAN 1 Malang and SMAN 7 Malang became a place of research with a sample of 188 students. The research design is Noneqivalent pretest - posttest control desaign group. Research data in the form of the acquisition of essay test scores. Essay test results were analyzed using anacova. Based on the research result it is proved that there is a potential of the RICOSRE on students' scientific reasoning abilities on different academic abilities. Abstrak : Penelitian bertujuan untuk menganalisis potensi model pembelajaran RICOSRE dalam meningkatkan kemampuan penalaran ilmiah siswa dengan kemampuan akademik berbeda. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian quasi-eksperimien. SMAN 1 Malang dan SMAN 7 Malang menjadi tempat penelitian dengan jumlah 188 siswa sebagai sampel. Data penelitian berupa perolehan skor tes esai. Hasil tes esai dianalisis menggunakan anakova. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui adanya potensi model pembelajaran RICOSRE terhadap kemampuan penalaran ilmiah siswa pada kemampuan akademik berbeda.

Laboratory Courses with Guided-Inquiry Modules Improve Scientific Reasoning and Experimental Design Skills for the Least-Prepared Undergraduate Students.

Past studies on the differential effects of active learning based on students’ prior preparation and knowledge have been mixed. The purpose of the present study was to ask whether students with different levels of prior preparation responded differently to laboratory courses in which a guided-inquiry module was implemented. In the first study, we assessed student scientific reasoning skills, and in the second we assessed student experimental design skills. In each course in which the studies were conducted, student gains were analyzed by pretest quartiles, a measure of their prior preparation. Overall, student scientific reasoning skills and experimental design skills did not improve pretest to posttest. However, when divided into quartiles based on pretest score within each course, students in the lowest quartile experienced significant gains in both studies. Despite the significant gains observed among students in the lowest quartile, significant posttest differences between lowest and highest quartiles were observed in both scientific reasoning skills and experimental design skills. Nonetheless, these findings suggest that courses with guided-inquiry laboratory activities can foster the development of basic scientific reasoning and experimental design skills for students who are least prepared across a range of course levels and institution types.

Problem Solving Heuristic to Develop Scientific Reasoning

Scientific reasoning patterns of students formal operational base on the implementation of problem solving heuristic methods has been obtained. The aim of this research is knowing the influence of heuristic problem solving method that has been designed on practicum sheet of discovery learning model to develop scientific reasoning of students. The samples are 32 students in junior high school at 11-13 years old. The methods are CTSR test of scientific reasoning by Lawson and interview. The research design is one grup pretest-posttest. The results indicated that problem solving heuristic methods can be a factor to develop scientific reasoning of students. The lowest level of scientific reasoning (concrete reasoning pattern) is decrease 34,38%. The middle level of scientific reasoning (transitional reasoning pattern) is increase 31,25%. The highest level of scientific reasoning (formal reasoning pattern) is increase 3,13%. Heuristic methods helping students to develop scientific skills, such as setting hypotheses, modifying variables, and analyzing results of research. The scientific reasoning pattern can not be classified by age. People who has older of age has not impact in high scientific reasoning level than younger people. If someone fail on concrete aspect, it is not necessarily that person will be fail in formal aspect.

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.

A Video-Based Measure of Preservice Teachers’ Abilities to Predict Elementary Students’ Scientific Reasoning

In this mixed methods study, the researchers developed a video-based measure called a ―Prediction Assessment‖ to determine preservice elementary teachers’ abilities to predict students’ scientific reasoning. The instrument is based on teachers’ need to develop pedagogical content knowledge for teaching science. Developing a knowledge base for aiding teachers in their abilities to predict students’ scientific reasoning promotes student learning because it enables teachers to understand students’ current conceptions and to be able to build lessons to improve upon those ideas. To determine whether preservice teachers are improving in their abilities to predict scientific reasoning it is necessary to have an instrument that can measure their current abilities and then to measure whether those abilities improve through instruction. In the second part of this study the authors used the prediction assessment to determine whether the traditional or new (Iterative Model Building, or IMB) field experience improved preservice elementary teachers’ abilities to make reasonable predictions of student scientific reasoning. It was found that though preservice teachers in both the traditional and IMB field experience approaches improved their abilities to make predictions, there was a greater number in the IMB group who made reasonable predictions and based those predictions on student reasoning.

An empirical study on the incorporation of APP and progressive reasoning teaching materials for improving technical creativity amongst students in the subject of automatic control

This study reformed teaching materials for automatic control, a mandatory course for engineering students, and designed a set of digital teaching materials based upon progressive reasoning with hand-mind combinations. The teaching materials were mainly delivered via a hands-on APP. The authors conducted an empirical study as well as pre-tests and post-tests for a total of 118 sophomore students majoring in engineering at two Universities. Outcomes found that the progressive reasoning teaching materials designed for this course were helpful in improving student creativity and scientific reasoning. Significant improvements were also achieved in product design, technical methods, and technological ideas aspects of technological creativity and every scientific reasoning skill, with the exception of proportional reasoning. Results also identified strong correlation between technical creativity and scientific reasoning. This relationship may be further investigated in follow-up studies. This study also proposed recommendations for coordinating designs of digital teaching materials in other engineering courses with the development of student thinking.

An assessment and evaluation of computer science education

This research shows an audience of fellow computer science teachers that there is benefit in testing college student's scientific reasoning skills and that the students increase their logical thinking skills in computer science classes when they are presented with real world problems, engaged in group activities, and given hands-on experiments.Students' scientific reasoning skills from several different computer science courses are analyzed and tested before and after taking the computer science course to measure their improvement in logical thinking. The higher order thinking skills test results are compared, and the overall class and individual student improvement between the classes that use different teaching strategies are analyzed. Also, the test results are compared with students' ability to perform adequately in a computer science course. This information is valuable to advisors when placing students in computer science courses.In the assessments of students' entering knowledge and evaluations of students' thinking improvement, the students' individual higher order thinking skills as well as their overall level of cognitive development are analyzed. Through the analysis of their individual skills and level of thinking, one can expand conclusions about the students' and teacher's performance over time.

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.

SCIENTIFIC REASONING ABILITY OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENT TEACHER IN THE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITY OF MATARAM

The purpose of this study is to investigate the scientific reasoning ability of the prospective student teacher, and to analyze the difference in scientific reasoning ability between students in the study programs. The sample set consisted of 179 students joining the Excellence Program of Mathematics and Science Teacher Education in the Faculty of Teacher Education ( FTE ) in the University of Mataram. The Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning ( CTSR ) was translated into Indonesian language and used to measure the student scientific reasoning ability. The results of this study revealed that 95.5% students had low reasoning ability and were categorized as concrete and transitional reasoner. Only few students (4.5%) reached the category of formal operational reasoner. In addition, significant differences of the students reasoning ability emerged among the third and the fifth semester students, as well as students in the four study programs.

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.

Effects of Inquiry–based Agriscience Instruction on Student Scientific Reasoning

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of inquiry–based agriscience instruction on student scientific reasoning. Scientific reasoning is defined as the use of the scientific method, inductive, and deductive reasoning to develop and test hypothesis. Developing scientific reasoning skills can provide learners with a connection to the scientific process by creating knowledge through evidence–based or authentic investigations. Higher reasoning scores indicate the learners’ ability to change a nonscientific belief based on factual evidence. This quasi–experimental study investigated the effect of two teaching methods (inquiry–based instruction and the subject matter approach) on agriscience student scientific reasoning. Fifteen agriscience education classes confined within seven secondary schools across the United States participated in the study. Utilizing univariate analysis of covariance, there was a statistically significant difference between groups based on scientific reasoning. Those students taught through inquiry–based instruction were reported as having higher scientific reasoning than students taught through the subject matter approach.