Session Information
09 SES 06 C, Issues in Developing Tests and Diagnostic Tools
Paper Session
Contribution
Theoretical framework: Investigative skills are facets of scientific investigation, a non linear procedure which incorporates the design and execution of experiments aiming to formulate valid answers to investigative questions based on collected evidence (Etkina et al., 2006; Gott & Roberts, 2004). Scientific investigation allows the transition from evidence to theory and it, therefore, supports the development and validation of scientific knowledge (Kyriazi, 2004). It includes the application of concepts, cognitive processes and practical skills and is utilized through the process of solving problems related to everyday issues (Gott & Roberts, 2004). The development of these skills has been an important target of educational programs focusing on the promotion of scientific literacy.
An example of an innovative educational program emphasizing the development of investigative skills in elementary school, exploits the science fair event as culminating motivational goal in order to engage students in the implementation of scientific investigations (Constantinou et al. 2004). In the preparatory work for this event, students apply the control of variables strategy to design fair experiments through procedures related to individualized empirical investigations that involve collecting and analyzing data.
The effort to evaluate this educational program has created the need for a standardized instrument that would have the potential to measure investigative skills and their development. Empirical investigation was conceptualized in respect to 6 aspects: (a) identifying variables, (b) formulating investigative questions, (c) designing experiments and controlling variables, (d) identifying faults in experimental design, (e) constructing graphical representations, and (f) interpreting data from tables, graphs and combinations of independent sources (Kyriazi, 2004).
Objectives of the research: The purpose of this research is the development of a valid and reliable tool that has the potential to measure investigative skills.
Research question: Can we measure investigative skills through a valid and reliable unidimensional measurement scale?
Method
Expected Outcomes
References
Kyriazi, E. (2004). The Science Fair as a means for developing investigative skills. Master Thesis. Constantinou and The Learning in Science Group (2004). The Science Fair as a means for developing investigative skills in elementary school. Teacher’s Handbook. Nicosia: Cyprus Minister of Education and Culture. Etkina, E., et.al. (2006). Scientific Abilities and their Assessment. Physics Education Research, (2), 1-15. Gott, R. and Roberts, R. (2004). A written test for procedural understanding: a way forward for assessment in the uk science curriculum? Research in Science and Technological Education, 22(1): 5-21. Marton, F. (1981). Phenomenoraphy. Describing Conceptions of the World Around us. Instructional Science, 10, 177-200. Wolfe, E. W., & Smith Jr. (2007). Instrument Development Tools and Activities for Measure Validation Using Rasch Models: Part II-Validation Activities. Journal of Applied Measurement, 8(2), 204-234.
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