• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2020

In this study, we propose research methods to explore the nature of earth science by applying the phenomenological approach and NOS-family resemblance approach based on literature review. The phenomenological approach exploring the nature of earth science is a method of collecting, analyzing and synthesizing multifaceted features of earth science from intuitive sensory phenomena without prejudice. As a way of exploring the nature of earth science from a phenomenological point of view, we propose the NOS-family resemblance approach to the NOS. This approach provides a comprehensive explanation of NOS by combining the characteristics shared by different areas of science with distinct differences. Applying this method to exploring the nature of earth science, we can identify both domain-general and domain-specific characteristics that make sub-areas of earth science a 'family.' For example, through the networking of features shared by such sub-areas as geology, atmospheric science, oceanography, astronomy, earth system science, etc., we can extract the family-resemblance characteristics that make these sub-areas a family called earth science. Through these approaches to the nature of earth science, the richness, complexity, and dynamic nature of earth science can be revealed as a whole. In addition, we will be able to grasp the change in the sub-areas that constitute the earth science, which in turn changes the nature of earth science, and to contribute to establishing the status and development system of earth science as a school subject.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.721-738
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• 2018

Nature of Science(NOS) has been a well-organized focus of science education and one of the key elements in defining and cultivating scientific literacy for more than a century. In recent years, a specific description of NOS, which is often known as 'the consensus view of NOS', has become very influential and has gained ready acceptance as an arrangement for both curriculum building and research into understanding of NOS by students and teachers in many countries around the world. This study has two purposes; one is to review some debates and criticism on the consensus view of NOS which consists of a list of sentences to describe nature of refined and general science, which have been heated up for the last few years by many prominent science education researchers, and the other is to consider alternative perspectives on NOS for the purpose of a new direction of NOS education. As a result of an investigation into such views as 'Teaching about NOS', 'Critical NOS', 'Critical Thinking-NOS', 'Whole Science', 'Features of Science' and 'Reconceptualized Family Resemblance Approach to NOS', some implications which focus on the generality and plurality of content knowledge of NOS based on current philosophy of science and sociology of scientific knowledge are suggested for the improvement of teaching and learning NOS.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.681-694
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• 2019

This study intends to delineate the characteristics of various perspectives on the nature of science (NOS) through the textbook analysis. Thus, centering on a science textbook called Science Laboratory Experiments, this study analyzes the elements of the NOS from three different perspectives: the consensus view, features of science (FOS), and family resemblance approach (FRA). While the consensus view highlights the similar elements of the NOS across the topics, the FOS is concerned about empirical ways for doing science. The FRA rather focuses on socio-cultural aspects of science activities. While the consensus view is useful to reify the features of the NOS, the FRA helps to understand science from various viewpoints. Regarding the philosophical account for three perspectives, all of them are ambiguous to some extent. The consensus view holds contradictory dispositions e.g., relativism vs. (post-)positivism, and critical realism and instrumentalism. The FOS supports empirical tradition but cannot effectively cope with the anomalous situation. The FRA is useful to show up the ways of science in both microscopic (personal) and macroscopic (social) viewpoints. However, the broader concept about science may mislead understanding of the NOS. Consequently, this study provides some implication for improving the framework of the NOS and teaching the NOS in the classroom.