Examination of secondary school students' knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology and decision-making skills on socio-scientific issues

The aim of this research is to examine the biotechnology knowledge levels, biotechnology attitudes and decision making skills in socio-scientific issues of secondary school students in terms of various variables (gender, school type, educational level of mother, educational level of father, professional seniority of science teacher, department graduation of science teacher) and to reveal the relationship of these dependent variables with each other. In the research, descriptive survey model from quantitative research designs and causal comparison method and correlation method from relational models were used. The sample of the study included 444 students randomly selected based on gradually sampling method from among 10 146 students who attended the 8th classes state and private secondary schools in Malatya city centre during the 2015-2016 academic year. In the research as data collection tools were used "Biotechnology Knowledge Test" developed by Öcal, Şad & Kahraman (2016) in order to determine biotechnology knowledge levels and "Biotechnology Attitude Scale" developed by Öcal, Şad & Kahraman (2016) in order to determine biotechnology attitudes of students. In order to determine decision making skills regarding socio-scientific issues "Decision Making Skills Test" developed by the reseracher was used. Parametric statistical techniques were used in data analysis as the data set fulfilled the normality assumption. In accordance with the sub-problems of the research the data analysis included descriptive statistics (mean values and standard deviation), independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA (alternatively Welch the when variances are not equal) in causal-comparative analyses with Scheffe (alternatively Dunnett's C when variances are not equal) as Post Hoc test, and multiple linear regression analyses in correlational comparisons. Significance level was considered p< .05. As a result of the research; It has been determined that the knowledge level of the students is at medium level. It was found that the scores of the students in the knowledge test did not differ significantly according to gender; It has been determined that there are significant differences according to school type, mother's education level, father's education level, teachers seniority and teachers graduation. According to the results of the biotechnology attitude score of the students, it was determined that they did not participate in health and food practices, but participated in cloning practices at a moderate level. While the scores of the students from the biotechnology attitude scale differ significantly according to the seniority of the teacher; it was determined that there was no significant difference according to gender, school type, mother's education level, father's education level and teacher's graduation department. It was found that students' decision-making skill scores on socio-scientific issues did not differ significantly according to gender; it has been determined that there are significant differences according to school type, mother's education level, father's education level, teacher's seniority and teacher's graduation department. In this study, it was found that the most important predictor of decision-making skills (scientific, moral and ideological dimensions) on socio-scientific issues is knowledge of biotechnology. It was determined that biotechnology attitude was not a significant predictor of decision-making skills in socioscientific issues.