Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners
The evolution of curricula in recent decades has given rise to multiple ways of teaching the task of experimental science, through which research skills are developed. In this learning gain process, teaching the systematized steps of the scientific method has been of invaluable help. In this study,...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Education Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/1/62 |
| _version_ | 1797443592795455488 |
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| author | Patricia Vázquez-Villegas Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano Juan Carlos Sánchez-Rangel Jorge Membrillo-Hernández |
| author_facet | Patricia Vázquez-Villegas Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano Juan Carlos Sánchez-Rangel Jorge Membrillo-Hernández |
| author_sort | Patricia Vázquez-Villegas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The evolution of curricula in recent decades has given rise to multiple ways of teaching the task of experimental science, through which research skills are developed. In this learning gain process, teaching the systematized steps of the scientific method has been of invaluable help. In this study, we wanted to determine under what contexts of the last century the knowledge of the scientific method has encouraged the development of research skills in higher education learners. Through a literature review yielding nineteen empirical articles in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases between 2000 and 2022, it was found that the scientific method is rarely mentioned and is more often referred to as a set of steps or structures to solve a problem, a challenge, or to carry out an investigation or an assigned task. Problem-solving and critical thinking were the two most-cited skills developed through the knowledge and practice of the scientific method. There are skills developed in theoretical classes and others that can be developed in practical courses such as laboratories or field work. A gap was found in the literature on using the scientific method and developing research skills in learners of non-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The findings of this review lead studies to determine and compare whether effectively teaching students the scientific method improves their understanding and development of research skills in STEM and non-STEM areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:59:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e10b2d39e2424d72b8b69bb07f6f0f29 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:59:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-e10b2d39e2424d72b8b69bb07f6f0f292023-11-30T21:57:05ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022023-01-011316210.3390/educsci13010062Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education LearnersPatricia Vázquez-Villegas0Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano1Juan Carlos Sánchez-Rangel2Jorge Membrillo-Hernández3Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoInstitute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Colima, Tecomán 28930, MexicoInstitute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, MexicoThe evolution of curricula in recent decades has given rise to multiple ways of teaching the task of experimental science, through which research skills are developed. In this learning gain process, teaching the systematized steps of the scientific method has been of invaluable help. In this study, we wanted to determine under what contexts of the last century the knowledge of the scientific method has encouraged the development of research skills in higher education learners. Through a literature review yielding nineteen empirical articles in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases between 2000 and 2022, it was found that the scientific method is rarely mentioned and is more often referred to as a set of steps or structures to solve a problem, a challenge, or to carry out an investigation or an assigned task. Problem-solving and critical thinking were the two most-cited skills developed through the knowledge and practice of the scientific method. There are skills developed in theoretical classes and others that can be developed in practical courses such as laboratories or field work. A gap was found in the literature on using the scientific method and developing research skills in learners of non-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The findings of this review lead studies to determine and compare whether effectively teaching students the scientific method improves their understanding and development of research skills in STEM and non-STEM areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/1/62challenge-based learningcritical thinkingeducational innovationhigher educationproblem-solvingscience |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Vázquez-Villegas Luis Alberto Mejía-Manzano Juan Carlos Sánchez-Rangel Jorge Membrillo-Hernández Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners Education Sciences challenge-based learning critical thinking educational innovation higher education problem-solving science |
| title | Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners |
| title_full | Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners |
| title_fullStr | Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners |
| title_short | Scientific Method’s Application Contexts for the Development and Evaluation of Research Skills in Higher-Education Learners |
| title_sort | scientific method s application contexts for the development and evaluation of research skills in higher education learners |
| topic | challenge-based learning critical thinking educational innovation higher education problem-solving science |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/1/62 |
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