Sponsor
Portland State University. Center for Science Education
First Advisor
Michael Flower
Date of Publication
1-1-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) in General Science
Department
Science Teaching
Language
English
Subjects
Deductive reasoning, Hypothesis testing, Inquiry, Biology -- Study and teaching (Secondary), Science -- Methodology, Education -- Research
DOI
10.15760/etd.427
Physical Description
1 online resource (iv, 45 p.)
Abstract
There is an increased emphasis on inquiry in national and Oregon state high school science standards. As hypothesis testing is a key component of these new standards, instructors need effective strategies to improve students' hypothesis testing skills. Recent research suggests that classroom exercises may prove useful. A general purpose classroom activity called the thought experiment is proposed. The effectiveness of 7 hours of instruction using this exercise was measured in an introductory biology course, using a quasi-experimental contrast group design. An instrument for measuring hypothesis testing skill is also proposed. Treatment (n=18) and control (n=10) sections drawn from preexisting high school classes were pre- and post-assessed using the proposed Multiple Choice Assessment of Deductive Reasoning. Both groups were also post-assessed by individually completing a written, short-answer format hypothesis testing exercise. Treatment section mean posttest scores on contextualized, multiple choice problem sets were significantly higher than those of the control section. Mean posttest scores did not significantly differ between sections on abstract deductive logic problems or the short answer format hypothesis testing exercise.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/7361
Recommended Citation
Wilder, Michael Gregg, "Improving Hypothesis Testing Skills: Evaluating a General Purpose Classroom Exercise with Biology Students in Grade 9." (2011). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 427.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.427
Comments
Portland State University. Center for Science Education