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An Exploratory Study of the 'Method of Multiple Working Hypotheses' as a Method of Earth Scientific Inquiry

지구과학의 탐구 방법으로서 '복수 작업가설의 방법'의 특징에 관한 탐색적 연구

  • Oh, Phil Seok (Department of Science Education, Gyeongin National University of Education)
  • 오필석 (경인교육대학교 과학교육과)
  • Received : 2018.05.28
  • Accepted : 2018.09.20
  • Published : 2018.10.31

Abstract

In this study, the method of multiple working hypotheses (MMWH) as a method of earth scientific inquiry was applied in a context of abductive reasoning about the formation of a rock with a specific structure, and the characteristics of MMWH revealed in the reasoning process were explored. Participants were 31 senior undergraduate students enrolled in a course in a university of education. As part of the course, the participants performed abductive inquiry with multiple working hypotheses about the formation of a rock. The students were asked to record both the processes and results of their reasoning in sketchbooks. The content of the students' sketchbook reports was analyzed according to the principle of analytic induction. Results demonstrated four assertions. First, the participants' working hypotheses were suggested in the use of resource models, and the adaption of the resource models often occurred in this process. Second, the perceptual properties of evidence influenced the activation of the resource models. Third, the kinds of observed evidence and the different interpretations of evidence resulted into different judgments on working hypotheses. Fourth, sometimes new hypotheses were generated by the combination of alternative hypotheses. Implications of these findings for earth science education and relevant research were discussed.

본 연구에서는 지구과학의 탐구 방법으로서 복수 작업가설의 방법을 특정한 구조를 지닌 암석의 형성 과정에 대한 귀추적 추론 과정에 적용하고, 그 속에서 드러난 복수 작업가설의 방법의 특징을 탐색하였다. 연구 참여자는 한교육대학교에서 진행된 수업에 참여한 31명의 4학년 학생들이었으며, 이들은 수업 활동의 일환으로 문제 암석의 형성 과정에 대한 복수의 작업가설을 상정하고 그것들을 함께 고려하여 귀추적 탐구를 수행하였다. 학생들의 추론 과정과 결과를 스케치북 보고서에 기록하게 하고, 보고서의 내용을 분석적 귀납의 원리에 따라 분석하여 4가지 연구 주장을 도출하였다. 첫째, 학생들의 작업가설은 자원 모델을 바탕으로 상정되고 이 과정에서 종종 자원 모델의 변형이 일어난다. 둘째, 자원 모델의 활성화에는 증거의 지각적 특성이 영향을 미친다. 셋째, 관찰한 증거의 종류와 증거에 대한 다른 해석이 작업가설들에 대한 서로 다른 판단을 초래한다. 넷째, 종종 대안적인 가설들이 결합하여 또 다른 가설이 만들어진다. 이러한 연구 결과가 지구과학 교육과 관련 연구에 시사하는 점을 논의하였다.

Keywords

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