Pre-service Science Teachers’ Understanding of Scientific Method for Studying Local Environmental Issues

Abstract

The scientific method is a procedure used by scientists to test generalizations and hypotheses with observation and experiment activities to obtain proven theories. Scientific methods become an essential part of the development of science, so that science learning teaches them, including in learning about earth science because most of the information in earth science is found through scientific inquiry. Pre-service science teachers must understand the scientific method and its application in studying the local environment so that it can be implemented in the learning process, especially when prospective teacher students carry out teaching practices in schools. Knowledge of the scientific method has many benefits, but not much information about the ability of prospective science teachers to the scientific method and its use to study the local environment. The purpose of this research is to find out precisely the knowledge of prospective science teachers about the scientific method and determine the right strategy in designing content and conducting lectures that teach material about the earth. The study was conducted on 83 prospective science teachers when they attended lectures on earth science. Data is obtained through written test activities that ask about understanding, procedures, and examples of the application of scientific methods in studying local environmental phenomena. The results of the study show that most prospective science teachers have an adequate understanding of the meaning and procedures of the scientific method. However, most students still cannot provide explicit examples of the operationalization of the scientific method in studying local environmental problems. For this reason, it is necessary to apply the right learning strategy so that students have the ability of the scientific method, one of which is to involve students in conducting scientific processes both in the laboratory and in real objects outside the classroom.