Decision-making processes of primary school students with different intelligence fields regarding biotechnology applications

The aim of this research is to examine the decision-making processes of 8th-grade students with different intelligence areas regarding vaccination, which is one of the biotechnology applications. The study group, which was determined according to the criterion sampling method, consists of eight students studying in the eighth grade of a central state secondary school in Isparta province in the spring term of the 2020-2021 academic year. In this study, which was carried out by the qualitative research approach, the nested single case research design was adopted. In the first stage of the study, the dominant intelligence areas of the students were determined with the multiple intelligence inventory and personal information form. According to the determined intelligence areas, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the students representing the eight intelligence areas, and data on how the students decided on vaccination were collected. The answers given by the students to the scenario questions in the semi-structured interview form were analyzed with the SEE-SEP model developed by Chang Rundgen and Rundgen (2010). According to the findings obtained from the research; While the decisions made by the students regarding vaccination do not vary according to their intelligence areas, the way they justify these decisions varies according to their intelligence areas. Suggestions were made to researchers and science teachers who will work in this field in the future. Key words: Biotechnology, Decision Making, Multiple Intelligence Theory, SEE-SEP Model, Socioscientific issues.