Assessing preservice elementary teachers views on the nature of scientific knowledge: A dual-response instrument

Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 9, Issue 1, Article 1 (June, 2008)
Ling L. Liang, Sufen Chen, Xian Chen, Osman Nafiz Kaya, April Dean Adams, Monica Macklin and Jazlin Ebenezer
Assessing preservice elementary teachers views on the nature of scientific knowledge: A dual-response instrument

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Appendix A

Student Understanding of Science and Scientific Inquiry Questionnaire

Please read EACH statement carefully, and then indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with EACH statement by circling the appropriate letters to the right of each statement (SD= Strongly Disagree; D = Disagree More Than Agree; U = Uncertain or Not Sure; A = Agree More Than Disagree; SA = Strongly Agree).

1. Observations and Inferences

A. Scientists observations of the same event may be different because the scientists prior knowledge may affect their observations. SD D U A SA

B. Scientists observations of the same event will be the same because scientists are objective. SD D U A SA

C. Scientists observations of the same event will be the same because observations are facts. SD D U A SA

D. Scientists may make different interpretations based on the same observations. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain why you think scientists observations and interpretations are the same OR different*.

2. Change of Scientific Theories

A. Scientific theories are subject to on-going testing and revision. SD D U A SA

B. Scientific theories may be completely replaced by new theories in light of new evidence. SD D U A SA

C. Scientific theories may be changed because scientists reinterpret existing observations. SD D U A SA

D. Scientific theories based on accurate experimentation will not be changed. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain why you think scientific theories change OR do not change over time.

[Suggested revision: With examples, explain why you think scientific theories do not change OR how (in what ways) scientific theories may be changed.]

3. Scientific Laws vs. Theories

A. Scientific theories exist in the natural world and are uncovered through scientific investigations. SD D U A SA

B. Unlike theories, scientific laws are not subject to change. SD D U A SA

C. Scientific laws are theories that have been proven. SD D U A SA

D. Scientific theories explain scientific laws**. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws.

[Suggested revision: With examples, explain the nature of and difference between scientific theories and scientific laws.]

4. Social and Cultural Influence on Science

A. Scientific research is not influenced by society and culture because scientists are trained to conduct pure, unbiased studies. SD D U A SA

B. Cultural values and expectations determine what science is conducted and accepted. SD D U A SA

C. Cultural values and expectations determine how science is conducted and accepted. SD D U A SA

D. All cultures conduct scientific research the same way because science is universal and independent of society and culture. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain how society and culture affect OR do not affect scientific research.

5. Imagination and Creativity in Scientific Investigations

A. Scientists use their imagination and creativity when they collect data. SD D U A SA

B. Scientists use their imagination and creativity when they analyze and interpret data. SD D U A SA

C. Scientists do not use their imagination and creativity because these conflict with their logical reasoning. SD D U A SA

D. Scientists do not use their imagination and creativity because these can interfere with objectivity. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain why scientists use OR do not use imagination and creativity.

[Suggested revision: With examples, explain how and when scientists use imagination and creativity OR do not use imagination and creativity.]

6. Methodology of Scientific Investigation

A.
Scientists use a variety of methods to produce fruitful results.
[Suggested revision: Scientists use different types of methods to conduct scientific investigations.]
SD D U A SA

B. Scientists follow the same step-by-step scientific method. SD D U A SA

C. When scientists use the scientific method correctly, their results are true and accurate. SD D U A SA

D. Experiments are not the only means used in the development of scientific knowledge**. SD D U A SA

With examples, explain whether scientists follow a single, universal scientific method OR use different methods.

[Suggested revision: With examples, explain whether scientists follow a single, universal scientific method OR use different types of methods.]

Note:

* The space for completing the open-ended responses was reduced to save space here.

* * The Likert statements are subject to further revision.

Copyright (C) 2008 HKIEd APFSLT. Volume 9, Issue 1, Article 1 (Jun., 2008). All Rights Reserved.

A.	Scientists observations of the same event may be different because the scientists prior knowledge may affect their observations.	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Scientists observations of the same event will be the same because scientists are objective.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	Scientists observations of the same event will be the same because observations are facts.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	Scientists may make different interpretations based on the same observations.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain why you think scientists observations and interpretations are the same OR different*.

A.	Scientific theories are subject to on-going testing and revision.	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Scientific theories may be completely replaced by new theories in light of new evidence.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	Scientific theories may be changed because scientists reinterpret existing observations.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	Scientific theories based on accurate experimentation will not be changed.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain why you think scientific theories change OR do not change over time. [Suggested revision: With examples, explain why you think scientific theories do not change OR how (in what ways) scientific theories may be changed.]

A.	Scientific theories exist in the natural world and are uncovered through scientific investigations.	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Unlike theories, scientific laws are not subject to change.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	Scientific laws are theories that have been proven.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	Scientific theories explain scientific laws**.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws. [Suggested revision: With examples, explain the nature of and difference between scientific theories and scientific laws.]

A.	Scientific research is not influenced by society and culture because scientists are trained to conduct pure, unbiased studies.	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Cultural values and expectations determine what science is conducted and accepted.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	Cultural values and expectations determine how science is conducted and accepted.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	All cultures conduct scientific research the same way because science is universal and independent of society and culture.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain how society and culture affect OR do not affect scientific research.

A.	Scientists use their imagination and creativity when they collect data.	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Scientists use their imagination and creativity when they analyze and interpret data.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	Scientists do not use their imagination and creativity because these conflict with their logical reasoning.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	Scientists do not use their imagination and creativity because these can interfere with objectivity.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain why scientists use OR do not use imagination and creativity. [Suggested revision: With examples, explain how and when scientists use imagination and creativity OR do not use imagination and creativity.]

A.	Scientists use a variety of methods to produce fruitful results. [Suggested revision: Scientists use different types of methods to conduct scientific investigations.]	SD	D	U	A	SA
B.	Scientists follow the same step-by-step scientific method.	SD	D	U	A	SA
C.	When scientists use the scientific method correctly, their results are true and accurate.	SD	D	U	A	SA
D.	Experiments are not the only means used in the development of scientific knowledge**.	SD	D	U	A	SA
With examples, explain whether scientists follow a single, universal scientific method OR use different methods. [Suggested revision: With examples, explain whether scientists follow a single, universal scientific method OR use different types of methods.]