TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of argument stance on scientific knowledge inquiry skills
AU - Horng, Ruey Yun
AU - Lu, Po Hui
AU - Chen, Pei-Hua
AU - Hou, Shih Huan
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - This study investigates the effects of argument stance on knowledge inquiry skills. Sixty-two participants were assigned to three argument stance conditions (proponent, opponent, or control) to receive scaffolded argumentation practice on two science issues in random order. After the argumentation treatment, participants were asked to write down their own opinions regarding the claim. Their responses were analysed according to argument structure, argument content, methods of refutation, and number of new propositions. Results revealed that taking a proponent’s stance increased the use of evidence in argumentation, while taking an opponent’s stance enhanced both the use of evidence and alternative-based refutations to the claim, number of falsifications, and number of new propositions. This implies that arguing from an opponent’s stance may increase the search for multiple causes behind observed phenomena and the need for evidence, thereby alleviating the confirmation bias in thinking.
AB - This study investigates the effects of argument stance on knowledge inquiry skills. Sixty-two participants were assigned to three argument stance conditions (proponent, opponent, or control) to receive scaffolded argumentation practice on two science issues in random order. After the argumentation treatment, participants were asked to write down their own opinions regarding the claim. Their responses were analysed according to argument structure, argument content, methods of refutation, and number of new propositions. Results revealed that taking a proponent’s stance increased the use of evidence in argumentation, while taking an opponent’s stance enhanced both the use of evidence and alternative-based refutations to the claim, number of falsifications, and number of new propositions. This implies that arguing from an opponent’s stance may increase the search for multiple causes behind observed phenomena and the need for evidence, thereby alleviating the confirmation bias in thinking.
KW - Argument stance
KW - Argumentation
KW - Science text
KW - Scientific inquiry skills
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85011210245&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09500693.2012.671558
DO - 10.1080/09500693.2012.671558
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85011210245
SN - 0950-0693
VL - 35
SP - 2784
EP - 2800
JO - International Journal of Science Education
JF - International Journal of Science Education
IS - 16
ER -