The Influence of Concept Cartoon-Supported Issue of Demarcation-Based Scientific Argumentation on Argumentation Skills and Pseudoscientific Beliefs

Abstract

Studies have found that argumentation may lessen students' pseudoscientific beliefs. However, few studies of argumentation have been handled in the context of pseudoscientific beliefs. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of concept cartoon-supported issue of demarcation-based scientific argumentation on middle school students’ pseudoscientific beliefs. A pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design including a control group was employed. Participants were 22 grade 7 Turkish female middle school students sampled from two classes of a single-sex school located at the edge of a southeastern town center in Turkey. When supported by the use of concept cartoons, issue of demarcation-based scientific argumentation significantly reduced the pseudoscientific beliefs with a large effect size and this decrease was retained even after 10 months. In addition, students’ argumentation skills significantly improved. Instructors should offer metacognitive tools in pedagogical approaches along with argumentation to foster middle school students’ argumentation skills and lessen their pseudoscientific beliefs.