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http://dx.doi.org/10.5467/JKESS.2020.41.2.147

Analyzing Epistemological Beliefs in Science as Perceived by Elementary School Students  

Sung, Gi-Seok (Kumcheon Elementary School)
Shin, Myeong-Kyeong (Gyeongin National University of Education)
Kim, Eun-Jeong (Seoryeong Elementary School)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean earth science society / v.41, no.2, 2020 , pp. 147-154 More about this Journal
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze epistemological beliefs in science as perceived by elementary school students and to examine the purpose of science, the nature of scientific knowledge, the source of scientific knowledge, and the role of experimentation. The subjects of this study were 99 elementary school students. As a tool for examining epistemological beliefs in science, we used adapted questionnaires comprising elements constituting epistemological beliefs, as proposed by Elder (1999). The results of the analysis are as follows: First, in terms of the purpose of science, sixth graders had the most modern beliefs compared to other grades. Second, a statistical significance was found between fourth graders and students in other grades based on the analysis of the nature of scientific knowledge. Third, there was no significant difference in each grade's beliefs concerning the source of scientific knowledge or the role of the experiment.
Keywords
epistemological beliefs; nature of science; elementary school students;
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