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Peer Argumentation in the School Science Laboratory - Exploring effects of task features

Kind, P.M.; Kind, V.; Hofstein, A.; Wilson, J.

Authors

P.M. Kind

A. Hofstein

J. Wilson



Abstract

Argumentation is believed to be a significant component of scientific inquiry: introducing these skills into laboratory work may be regarded as a goal for developing practical work in school science. This study explored the impact on the quality of argumentation among 12- to 13-year-old students undertaking three different designs of laboratory-based task. The tasks involved students collecting and making sense of complex data, collecting data to address conflicting hypotheses, and, in a paper-based activity, discussing pre-collected data about an experiment. Significant differences in the quality of argumentation prompted by the tasks were apparent. The paper-based task generated the most argumentation units per unit time. Where students carried out an experiment, argumentation was often brief, as reliance on their data was paramount. Measurements were given credence by frequency and regularity of collection, while possibilities for error were ignored. These data point to changes to existing practices being required in order to achieve authentic, argumentation-based scientific inquiry in school laboratory work.

Citation

Kind, P., Kind, V., Hofstein, A., & Wilson, J. (2011). Peer Argumentation in the School Science Laboratory - Exploring effects of task features. International Journal of Science Education, 33(18), 2527-2558. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2010.550952

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2011
Deposit Date Feb 1, 2012
Journal International Journal of Science Education
Print ISSN 0950-0693
Electronic ISSN 1464-5289
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 33
Issue 18
Pages 2527-2558
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2010.550952
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1508517