TY  - JOUR
A1  - Basel, Nicolai
A1  - Harms, Ute
A1  - Prechtl, Helmut
A1  - Weiss, Thomas
A1  - Rothgangel, Martin
T1  - Students' arguments on the science and religion issue: the example of evolutionary theory and Genesis
JF  - Journal of biological education
N2  - Treating creationism as a controversial topic within the science and religion issue in the science classroom has been widely discussed in the recent literature. Some researchers have proposed that this topic is best addressed by focusing on sociocognitive conflict. To prepare new learning opportunities for this approach, it is necessary to know the concrete arguments that students use in their discussions on this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic description of these arguments. For this purpose, upper secondary students (N=43) argued for either the acceptance of evolutionary theory or faith in Genesis in a written speech. The study was conducted during their regular biology and religious education classes. Generated arguments were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Three dimensions of the arguments were described: the content (science or religion), the valuation of the argument (positive or negative), and whether the argument consisted of a descriptive or normative argumentation. The results indicate that students found it easier to generate arguments about the scientific side of the issue; however, these arguments were negatively constructed. The results are discussed with regard to implications for educational approaches for teaching controversial issues at the high-school level.
KW  - evolutionary theory
KW  - argumentation
KW  - science
KW  - religion issue
KW  - controversial issues
Y1  - 2014
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2013.849286
SN  - 0021-9266
SN  - 2157-6009
VL  - 48
IS  - 4
SP  - 179
EP  - 187
PB  - Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
CY  - Abingdon
ER  -