Application of empathy influence on the image of scientist and scientific methods within the scope of biology lesson

The purpose of this study is to examine application of empathy influence on the image of scientist and scientific methods within the scope of biology lesson. Research is realized at 2009-2010 academic year, spring term in Anatolian High School. In the study, a total of 61 high school student of two different classes were participated in. Classes were randomly determined as the experimental group and control group.The scientific method steps and the properties of scientists techniques were lectured to the students in the experimental group with the techniques including empathy activities however in the control group traditional methods were used. In this study, pre-test and post-test control group design was used.For data collection, logical thinking test as pre-testing, the scientific method steps test, scientist features, biology attitude scale and and empathy applications test was used.In quantitative evaluation of my research, analysis with the Mann-Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used. The findings obtained from analysis were evaluated with SPSS (Statistical Packet for the Social Sciences) statistical software. The analysis results were evaluated at the level of 0.05 significance. For qualitative evaluation Lee's historical empathy steps was used.As a result of the analysis, we determined that empathy contributed significantly in teaching activities of the scientific method steps and characteristics of scientists.Key words: scientific method, scientist, biology teaching, biology education, biology lesson, empathy.