Marie C. Desaulniers Miller|Lisa Montplaisir|Erika G. Offerdahl|Fu-Chih Cheng|Gerald L. Ketterling
Comparison of Views of the Nature of Science between Natural Science and Nonscience Majors
Statistical Service|North Dakota State University
science educators common goal helping students develop scientific literacy including understanding nature science nos university faculties challenged need develop informed nos views several major student subpopulations including science majors nonscience majors research nos views undergraduates particularly science majors limited study nos views undergraduates introductory environmental science upperlevel animal behavior courses measured using likert items openended prompts analysis revealed similarities students views two courses populations held mix nave transitional moderately informed views comparison pre postcourse mean scores revealed significant changes nos views select aspects nos student scores sections addressing six aspects nos significantly different cases showing notably uninformed views distinctions scientific theories laws evidencebased insight student nos views aid reforming undergraduate science courses add faculty researcher understanding impressions science held undergraduates helping educators improve scientific literacy future scientists diverse college graduates