Investigation of Prospective Teachers’ Image of Scientist with Respect to Some Variables

Abstract

In this study it was aimed to investigate primary science, religion culture and moral knowledge teacher
candidates’ image of the scientist with respect to some variables. As research approach, survey method was used. The sample
consisted of one hundred and eleven primary science, religion culture and moral knowledge teacher candidates. As the data
collection tool, a validated Turkish version of “a scientist drawing scale” with four sub dimensions originally developed by
Song and Kim (1999) was used. The qualitative and quantitative data was separately analyzed by calculating frequency and
percentages for each sub dimension of the scale, and compared statistically to explore the possible image distinctions
according to the variables like gender and enrolled department. The findings showed that teacher candidates hold positive
perceptions of cognitive images of the scientist and that scientists are thought to have eye-glasses, blowsy hair, and a lab
coat. Moreover, it was found that most of them conceived the scientist as someone presentable. The same findings suggested
that teacher candidates supposed scientists as a male aged between 30-50, busy working in a lab or his office, doing
experiments and thinking. In addition, in teacher candidates’ responses, scientists were pictured using objects such as glasses,
experiment tubes, a table and Bunsen. Findings also showed that the dominant scientist examples in their minds are male
ones like Einstein, Edison, and Ibn-i Sina and that the substantial sources of their images are scientist biographies, muse and
laboratory expeditions, movies, journals, internet and textbooks.