Exploration of Science Teachers' Views About Socioscientific Issues

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the views of inservice science teachers on Socioscientific issues (SSI). The research was carried out by using the phenomenological research, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The participants of the study was formed by using the criterion sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling methods. The participants were 6 inservice science teachers working in the western part of Turkey. In present study, the interview form, developed by the researcherswere used as data collection tools. The data obtained from the research were transcribed. Written documents obtained were analyzed mature by content analysis in accordance with the qualitative research philosophy. As a result of the research, it has been observed that science teachers have different ideas about what SSI mean and have difficulties to get out of certain subjects in giving examples to SSI. When the place of SSI in science education was examined, it was found that the science teachers' opinions about the inclusion of SSI in science teaching is positive. It was seen that the participants had difficulty in giving examples to SSI that should not be discussed in the classroom. Suggestions were made in the light of the findings obtained from the present study.