Using a conceptual change text as a tool to teach the nature of science in an explicit reflective approach

Appendix-1 Conceptual Change Text Incident Scene Investigation

A lot of remarks have been made recently about global warming, climate changes and potential big earthquakes in our country. I wonder whether the scientists working on the same topics might have different views? Why? Writeyour views in the blanks given below.

Wrong views
	We think that the scientists working on the same topic should obtain similar data. In light of similar data, we believe that two people should obtain the same or similar results with each other.

Our views are scientifically wrong. The right answer of the question is given below.

Right views
	Even if the scientists working on the same topic conduct the same experiments and obtain similar data, they can suggest different results. Besides the views suggested might be incompatible with each other because scientists obtain results by interpreting the data that they have acquired as a result of observation and experiment. The imagination and prior knowledge of the scientists are effective with the interpretation of data.

We can prove the correctness of our ideas with an activity. Examine the picture given below carefully. Write what you see in the picture in the space provided.

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All of a sudden the fume rises and the flames start to surround everywhere. The citizens and the fire brigade try to put out the fire.

The authorities try to determine the reasons of the fire. The clues and photos collected from the scene of the incident after the fire are given below.

Suppose that you are an authority working in a team who is investigating the reasons of the fire. The journalists expect an explanation from you. What would you tell to the journalists was the reason of the fire? Why?

The reason of the fire:………………………………………………………

Because:………………………………………………………………………

Let’s get to conclusion

1. Are you sure about the reasons of the fire? Why?

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2. Are there any other different ideas about the reasons of fire?

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3. Although you have the same data (looking at the same pictures), how can you explain different results?

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4. Although the scientists have the same data about a subject, can they obtain different results? Please explain it with examples.

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