The determination of scientist images of people from different educational background and a comparison of these images in terms of some variables

The aim of this study is both to determine how students at primary, secondary and higher education levels and people at graduate level perceive the scientists and to compare their images about them. In this research, survey method was used. The sample of this study consists of 500 participants including 154 students at the primary education level, 162 students at the secondary education level, 124 students at the higher education level and 60 participants at the graduate level in Agrı province. The sample of the study was determined using the availability sampling method. In the study, "Scientist drawing scale" was used as a means of data collection, which was developed by Song and Kim (1999) based on the Draw a Scientist Test (DAST) of Chambers (1983), consists of four subsections. The qualitative and quantitative data were compared according to the difference in gender and education level of the participants. The frequency and percentage values for each subdivision were calculated and analysed statistically. As a result it was found out that the participant's mental images of the scientists were very positive and that they perceived the scientists as the persons who have spectacles, lab coat and were bald, tall, scattered hair, that male participants described the scientists as more handsome in proportion to females whereas female participants thought scientists as more beautiful persons in proportion to males. Besides, it was determined that the participants perceived the scientists as the persons who are between 30-40 years and working in the lab, library or working room and carrying out, commonly thinking, giving lectures and using the materials such as glass containers, experiment tubes, microscopes, books, solution samples. In the formation of participants scientist images, it was determined that the life stories of the scientists, museum and laboratory trips, internet and movies are very effective. It was also found that Einstein and Edison are preferred as the most respected scientists; their contributions to humanity, their being intellectual, talented and successful people are showed as its reasons. Key Word: Science, Scientist, Image of scientist