Investigation of scientific epistemological predictors of science achievement of middle school students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate scientific epistemological predictors of science achievement of middle school students. In line with this purpose correlational research method was utilized. The study involved 100 fifth, sixth and eighth grade middle school students. The data of the study was collected by “Science Achievement Test” and “Scientific Epistemological Beliefs Scale”. For analysis of the data, linear regression technique was used. The findings showed that the achievement level of the students was low while they had advanced epistemological beliefs. As another finding parallel to this conflict, scientific epistemological beliefs of the students did not predict significantly science achievement. In conclusion, it was observed that scientific epistemological beliefs and science achievement of the students were not associated.