| dc.contributor.author | Miller, Marie Christine Desaulniers | |
| dc.description.abstract | Science educators have the common goal of helping students develop scientific
literacy, including understanding of the nature of science (NOS). University faculties are
challenged with the need to develop informed NOS views in several major student
subpopulations, including science majors and nonscience majors. Research into NOS
views of undergraduates, particularly science majors, has been limited. In this study, NOS
views of undergraduates in introductory environmental science and upper-level animal
behavior courses were measured using Likert items and open-ended prompts. Analysis
revealed similarities in students' views between the two courses; both populations held a
mix of naYve, transitional, and moderately informed views. Comparison of pre- and
postcourse mean scores revealed significant changes in NOS viev .. 's only in select aspects
of NOS. Student scores on sections addressing six aspects of NOS were significantly
different in most cases, showing notably uninformed views of the distinctions between
scientific theories and laws. Evidence-based insight into student NOS views can aid in
reforming undergraduate science courses and will add to faculty and researcher
understanding of the impressions of science held by undergraduates, helping educators
improve scientific literacy in future scientists and diverse college graduates. | en_US |
| dc.publisher | North Dakota State University | en_US |
| dc.rights | NDSU policy 190.6.2 | en_US |
| dc.title | Investigation of the Nature of Science Views of Undergraduate Natural Science and Nonscience Majors in Biology Courses | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-02-10T18:34:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-02-10T18:34:30Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10365/33662 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Science -- Study and teaching (Higher). | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Science -- Methodology. | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Biology -- Study and teaching (Higher). | en_US |
| dc.rights.uri | https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf | en_US |
| ndsu.degree | Master of Science (MS) | en_US |
| ndsu.college | Science and Mathematics | en_US |
| ndsu.department | Biological Sciences | en_US |
| ndsu.program | Biological Sciences | en_US |
| ndsu.advisor | Montplaisir, Lisa M. | |
