The effect of perspective taking on the moral judgmentsof gifted students

The purpose of the current study is to reveal the effect of perspective taking on the moral reasoning of gifted students regarding the subject of stem cells, which is a socioscientific issue. The current study employed the mixed method research, in which qualitative and quantitative research methods are used together. The convergent parallel mixed research design was preferred from among the mixed research designs, and quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously, analyzed separately, and the findings were integrated and interpreted. In the quantitative dimension of the study, a single-group pretest-posttest experimental design, one of the pre-experimental models, was used. In the qualitative dimension of the study, a case study was used. The study group of the study was determined using the criterion sampling method. The study group consists of 27 female and 30 male students. The data collection tool used as pretest and posttest include 2 Likert-type questions and 2 open-ended questions to elaborate on the answers given to the Likert-type questions. The quantitative findings of the study were supported by directly quoting from students‟ answers given to the open-ended questions. The study was implemented in science classes for 4 class hours each week (2 weeks in total). The quantitative data obtained as a result of the study were analyzed in the SPSS 15.0 program package, and the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. When the pretest and posttest results regarding the participating students‟ supporting the use of stem cells in research and finding the use of stem cells ethical were examined, it was seen that there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest results in favour of the posttest results. When the changes between the pretest and posttest results regarding whether or not gifted students support stem cell research were examined, it was observed that utilitarian reasoning was expressed more strongly in the posttest. Within the context of utilitarian reasoning, students especially mentioned the positive effects and scientific benefits of stem cells on human health more in the posttest.