The diversity of scientific methods has received widespread attention and recognition in recent years. Brandon's Matrix illustrated four categories of scientific methods, which was applied to establish the analytical framework of this study. This paper adopted content analysis to investigate how the diversity of scientific methods is represented…

Purpose: A health learning program relying on the scientific method was designed to promote reducing the intake of foods high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat in a group of school-aged children. Design/methodology/approach: The scientific method was a core approach for creating intervention activities. We conducted mixed-methods research…

This study explores machine learning (ML) for assessing elementary students' scientific argumentation skills, addressing the inefficiency of traditional teacher-based evaluations. We developed tailored test questions and scoring rubrics, collecting data from sixth-graders in China. Four shallow learning algorithms (Polynomial Naive Bayes, k-NN,…

This study tracked pre-service science teachers (PSTs) over 3 years as they completed required science courses (e.g., chemistry, biology and science and technology laboratory courses). The PSTs' use of argument, representations, and reasoning were examined (1) to determine the coherence within and between these and (2) examine the relationship…

Students develop process skills through repeated practice of data interpretation, problem solving, and critical thinking. The primary literature provides a rich source of data and application problems to engage students in this practice within the context of chemistry content knowledge. However, most existing classroom activities based on the…

Elemental analysis is performed in a variety of ways in food and environmental sciences; thus, we have designed an activity in which students gain experience with research-level lab techniques in a real-world context through the quantification of key elements in breakfast cereals using microwave plasma optical emission spectroscopy (MP-OES). The…

Introduction: Critical thinking is a highly-valued skill in higher education, even though there are few studies that demonstrate its effectiveness on scientific skills of pedagogy students. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a critical thinking program (PENCRIT-RC) on inquiry and probabilistic reasoning skills in pedagogy…

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the course, Scientific Inquiry, significantly increased the self-efficacy beliefs of its students. According to Bandura (1977), an increase in self-efficacy could increase the likelihood that teachers implement scientific inquiry in their classrooms. I explored self-efficacy in an effort to…

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of organic chemistry textbooks in developing student representational competence skills with eight representations of molecular structure (Lewis structures, Kekulé structures, condensed structures, electrostatic potential maps, skeletal structures, dash-wedge diagrams, Newman projections,…

Machine learning algorithms that automatically score scientific explanations can be used to measure students' conceptual understanding, identify gaps in their reasoning, and provide them with timely and individualized feedback. This paper presents the results of a study that uses Hebrew NLP to automatically score student explanations in Biology…

Functional feeding guild classification of aquatic insects is partly based on mouthpart morphology, but the link between mouthpart morphology and ecological feeding roles is often missed by students in the classroom. We implemented a Jigsaw activity in a freshwater biology course to help students connect morphology and ecology. Paired students…

This study aimed to examine the impact of a context-based relating, experiencing, applying, cooperating, and transferring (REACT) strategy on the scientific reasoning (SR) abilities of tenth grade students. A mixed-method approach and convergent embedded experimental design were used. One hundred thirty-one students participated in the study in…

This small-scale, qualitative study uses educational design research to explore how focusing on argumentation may contribute to students' learning to engage in inquiry independently. Understanding inquiry as the construction of a scientifically cogent argument in support of a claim may encourage students to develop personal reasons for adhering to…

The results of a STEM educational program named "The air we breathe" implemented in a primary rural school in Greece as part of a National Research Project entitled "Diffusion of STEM (DI-STEM)" are presented in this paper. The educational program deepened in air pollution and intended to foster students' eight scientific…

The aim of this study is to examine the research and ICT competencies and scientific process skills of teachers in different branches in Kazakhstan and the relationship between these three variables. The sample of the study consists of 258 teachers working in different cities of Kazakhstan in the 2022-2023 academic year. Teacher Research…