Profiles of freshman physics students' views on the nature of science

Abstract

The views on various aspects of the nature of science (NOS) of 179 novice undergraduate physics students were investigated using six open-ended, written probes. These views were consolidated within compact NOS ''profiles,'' which were designed based on the students' responses to the probes. These profiles may be understood as sets of key descriptors, which represented the variation in the views of individual students in a succinct way. The views of 86% of the sample were found to be represented by four profiles, each containing five descriptors. The consequences for the teaching and learning of tertiary science, and advantages for linking NOS views to other research observables were explored. ß

Role of mental representations in problem solving: Students’ approaches to nondirected tasks

“…Profiles, defined as a set of descriptors put together to represent the variation in the actions of students across the various tasks [45], from the topic of work and kinematics, respectively, were designed. The analysis method of profiling is basically qualitative in nature and based on the students' problem solving strategies.…”

“…To organize the data, we first identify the problem solving strategies that students employ when handling tasks with a specific format (i.e., a task with a particular representational mode asking for a quantitative or a qualitative solution). Profiles [45] are then generated where we capture key characteristics of problem solving strategies used across the different problem formats. The profiles consequently are composed of various problem solving strategies, all of which can be perceived as emphasizing specific mental representation.…”

Representational task formats and problem solving strategies in kinematics and work

“…The strategies were gathered from both students' written solutions and their responses to the interview questions. The word profile may be understood as a set of descriptors which are put together to represent the students' overall actions across the various tasks [41]. For a particular student, in a given topic, the procedure employed to complete each of the five tasks was considered, summarized, and hence synthesized into a resulting profile.…”

Nature of Science in the Science Curriculum: Origin, Development, Implications and Shifting Emphases

“…16 One such recent study by Ibrahim et al ( 2009 ) seeks to consolidate data from a purpose-built questionnaire into NOS profi les. The questionnaire, Views about Scientifi c Measureme nt (VASM), which comprises six items addressing aspects of NOS and eight items dealing with scientifi c measurement, uses a common context (in earth sciences) and allows space for students to elaborate on their response or compose an alternative.…”