An Empirical Method for the Study of Exemplar Explanations

Abstract

Abstract. The most common way of studying explanations in philosophy of science and science education is through case studies. Recently these have been supplemented with studies based on empirical methods. This chapter provides an empirical method for collecting and comparing exemplar explanations across scientific disciplines with the aim of exposing possible qualitative differences between them. The method is based on the use of science textbooks as sources of explanations. I discuss a number of possible strategies for identifying explanations in these sources, and specify a set of reliable linguistic indicators that can be used for this purpose. A pilot study is presented to illustrate the method and its limitations.

School playgroups: Which features of provision matter?

“…School playgroups above the median for bonding and bridging relationships were confirmed as exemplar cases. Exemplar cases offer insight into phenomena in practice and are so defined according to their difference from non‐exemplars (Goddiksen, 2015). School playgroups with at least one mean below the median for bonding and bridging were identified as partial cases (e.g.…”

“…School playgroups above the median for bonding and bridging relationships were confirmed as exemplar cases. Exemplar cases offer insight into phenomena in practice and are so defined according to their difference from non-exemplars (Goddiksen, 2015).…”

Systems science and the art of interdisciplinary integration

“…Awareness of the existence and implications of different disciplinary standards (Sections 2 and 3) can be facilitated through exercises where students are asked to identify hidden assumptions and discuss their implications. Such exercises can, for example, be based on a comparison of exemplars presented in textbooks or published scientific papers in various fields (Goddiksen, ). Similarly, identifying and comparing important exemplars in textbooks from different disciplines can be useful for scholars aiming to understand the background for some of the difficulties of interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as for educators aiming to teach interdisciplinary problem‐solving (Goddiksen, , ).…”

“…Such exercises can, for example, be based on a comparison of exemplars presented in textbooks or published scientific papers in various fields (Goddiksen, ). Similarly, identifying and comparing important exemplars in textbooks from different disciplines can be useful for scholars aiming to understand the background for some of the difficulties of interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as for educators aiming to teach interdisciplinary problem‐solving (Goddiksen, , ). Exercises can also involve comparisons of figures or examples in scientific publications where differences can also provide insights to the difficulties of understanding and combining different methodological and conceptual tools.…”