Influence of content knowledge level to socioscientific argumentation quality: Genetically modified organisms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of knowledge ofcontent to socio-scientific argumentation quality in the context of genetically modifiedorganisms. In accordance with purpose of current study, both quantitative andqualitative data collecting and analyzing procedures were carried out in order toexamine research hypothesis. Sample of the study was comprised of pre-service scienceteachers whose numbers were 71. Pre-service science teachers were divided differentsub groups with respect to their content knowledge levels to implement small groupdiscussions. Three different data collecting tools were administered on the purpose ofdata collection:Questionnaire: Biotechnology Knowledge Questionnaire related to geneticallymodified organisms (BKQ) was conducted for identifying content knowledgelevels (high achievers, middle achievers and low achievers) of research group.BBA was developed by Prokop, Le?ková, Kubiatko ve Diran (2007) andtranslated and adapted into Turkish by Özel et al. (2009). BBA consists of 16items that were comprised of likert scale. In addition to this, 8 open ended itemwere added BBA for taking advantage open ended items. Internal consistencyreliability (Cronbach Alfa) of BBA was analyzed as 0.71 and this proportionconfirmed that BBA is reliable adequately.Scenarios: Scenarios in which about GMOs was used for collecting qualitativedata that was intended for assessing argumentation quality. Moreover scenarioswere utilized for the purpose of initiating discussions at the processes ofapplications.Interviews: Semi structured interviews are another qualitative data collectiontool. Interviews were conducted with three (%25) individuals whoseargumentations decoded and analyzed.Quantitative data obtained from argumentative processes was analyzed withusing SPSS. In the meantime, argumentation quality level was assessed withArgumentation Quality Assessment Scale (AQAS) which was developed by Erduran,Simon and Osborne (2004). AQAS was developed as a multilevel (five levels)assessment scale in order to determine the level of quality of both scientific andsocioscientific argumentation episodes. With quantification of quality levels ofargumentation episodes, Kruskal Wallis statistical technique was use to determinewhether or not there is a statistical significance of changes argumentation qualities ofdifferent groups. When findings of the current study are considered generally, followingconclusions are reached;? Content knowledge level is not a significant factor in order to determine socioscientific argumentation quality,? Pre-service science teacher understands regarding genetically modifiedorganisms is superficial.In conclusion, as making quality and rational decisions with respect tocontradictory issues presented by SSIs, in addition to content knowledge level,argumentation skills for instance generating rebuttals and consciousness to challengingnature and structure of SSIs should be attached importance by educational policymakers and science teachers in order to generate an individual healthy society.Key Words: Socioscientific argumentation, content knowledge, genetically modifiedorganisms, pre-service teachers