Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education (한국과학교육학회지)

The Korean Association for Science Education (한국과학교육학회)
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Scientists' Perceptions of Imagination and Characteristics of the Scientific Imagination

과학자들의 상상력에 대한 인식과 과학적 상상력의 특성 탐색

  • Received : 2013.10.08
  • Accepted : 2013.12.12
  • Published : 2013.12.31
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Abstract

In this study, we investigated scientists' perception of imagination and explored characteristics of scientific imagination. For this, we found out conceptions and characteristics based on literatures which related to imagination. We recruited eight distinguished Korean scientists who have rich research experiences by using Snowball sampling for in-depth interviews (60-90 minutes). All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. From the analysis of interview data, we identified their perceptions of imagination and the nature of scientific imagination which scientists reflect on during their research work. Semi-structured interview protocol was focused on: 1) how scientists perceive 'imagination' and 2) how scientists perceive the role of imagination in their scientific research. As results, we found out that scientists agreed that imagination plays an important role in scientific research process and they perceived imagination as an intrinsic part of human life. The study also indicated that participants have modern viewpoint about imagination. Moreover, we uncovered three characteristics of imagination in the research process. 1) Curiosity and interest have been a driving force for scientists' imagination. 2) When scientists use the imagination, they can be more creative during their research. 3) Imagination contemplated realistic possibilities based on the scientific knowledge, and produced the new ones. Educational implications for utilization of scientific imagination were also suggested.

본 연구에서는 과학자들의 상상력에 대한 인식과 과학 연구 과정에서 나타나는 과학적 상상력의 특성을 탐색하였다. 문헌 연구를 바탕으로 상상력의 개념과 특성을 도출한 뒤, 실제 과학자를 대상으로 상상력에 대한 인식과 연구 과정에서 강조되는 상상력의 특성을 알아보았다. 연구 참여자로는 스노우볼 표집을 통해 국내 과학자 8인을 선정하였으며, 개별 심층 면담을 통해 자료 수집이 이루어졌다. 면담은 주로 60-90분 동안 진행되었으며, 면담 내용은 모두 전사하여 분석 자료로 사용하였다. 면담 질문은 상상력에 대한 인식과 연구 과정에서 상상력이 발휘되었던 경험과, 상상력의 역할 등을 물어보는 반 구조화된 형식으로 구성하였다. 연구 결과, 과학자들은 상상력이 과학 연구 활동에서 중요한 역할을 한다고 인식하고 있었으며, 상상력에 대하여 긍정적인 관점을 지니고 있었다. 특히 과학자들은 상상력이 인간이 지니고 있는 특성으로 바라보았으며, 상상력의 개념을 폭넓게 이해하는 현대적 관점을 지니고 있었다. 연구 과정에서 강조되는 상상력의 특성은 문헌 연구에서 나타나는 상상력의 특성과 일치하였으며, 크게 세 가지로 분류하였다. 첫째, 과학자들의 상상력은 경험을 통한 지적 호기심과 궁금증이 원동력으로 작용한다는 것이다. 둘째, 과학적 상상력이 발휘되는 과정에서 창의적 특성이 나타난다. 셋째, 과학적 상상력은 과학 지식을 기반으로 현실 가능성을 고려하며, 새로운 것을 산출하는 특성을 지닌다. 연구 결과를 바탕으로 결론에서는 과학적 상상력의 특성을 도출하고, 그 의미와 함께 과학 학습에서의 상상력 활용 방안에 대하여 논의하였다.

Keywords

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