Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test
Children's perceptions of scientists have traditionally been explored using the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST). However, the DAST method, whereby researchers analyse large numbers of children's drawings according to a checklist, is often criticised for not taking children's voices into...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Educational Research Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666374022000565 |
| _version_ | 1811188394866245632 |
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| author | Tereza J. Brumovska Sarah Carroll Martin Javornicky Muriel Grenon |
| author_facet | Tereza J. Brumovska Sarah Carroll Martin Javornicky Muriel Grenon |
| author_sort | Tereza J. Brumovska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Children's perceptions of scientists have traditionally been explored using the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST). However, the DAST method, whereby researchers analyse large numbers of children's drawings according to a checklist, is often criticised for not taking children's voices into account. In this study, to explore children's perceptions of scientists, children in four primary schools (N = 105) were asked to 'Draw a Scientist', then describe their drawings in an open-ended qualitative questionnaire. A subsample of 30 participants also participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis that was conducted on the collected data derived five different profiles of scientists described by children: 1) Brainy Scientist, 2) Crazy Scientist, 3) Supernatural Scientist, 4) Clumsy Scientist, and 5) Normal Scientist. These distinct profiles shift from the typical ‘stereotypical’ versus ‘non-stereotypical stance’ often presented, describing novel nuances within stereotypical profiles. This work highlights the importance of employing qualitative participatory research methods and incorporating children's voices. The article concludes with suggestions for several directions for future research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:19:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3b30b5f770049d08583133e5f9daab1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-3740 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:19:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Educational Research Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3b30b5f770049d08583133e5f9daab12022-12-22T04:19:07ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Educational Research Open2666-37402022-01-013100180Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-TestTereza J. Brumovska0Sarah Carroll1Martin Javornicky2Muriel Grenon3Biochemistry, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway; Current address: Department of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic; Co-corresponding author: Tereza J. Brumovska, Marie Sklodovska-Curie no. 101027291 Research Fellow, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Patkova 8, 10800, Praha 8 - Liben, Czech RepublicBiochemistry, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland GalwayRural Economy & Development Programme, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Teagasc, H65 R718, Galway county, IrelandBiochemistry, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway; Corresponding author: Muriel Grenon, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Science & Engineering. National University of Ireland Galway, Art & Science, Biochemistry Room 127, H91CF50, Galway, EireChildren's perceptions of scientists have traditionally been explored using the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST). However, the DAST method, whereby researchers analyse large numbers of children's drawings according to a checklist, is often criticised for not taking children's voices into account. In this study, to explore children's perceptions of scientists, children in four primary schools (N = 105) were asked to 'Draw a Scientist', then describe their drawings in an open-ended qualitative questionnaire. A subsample of 30 participants also participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis that was conducted on the collected data derived five different profiles of scientists described by children: 1) Brainy Scientist, 2) Crazy Scientist, 3) Supernatural Scientist, 4) Clumsy Scientist, and 5) Normal Scientist. These distinct profiles shift from the typical ‘stereotypical’ versus ‘non-stereotypical stance’ often presented, describing novel nuances within stereotypical profiles. This work highlights the importance of employing qualitative participatory research methods and incorporating children's voices. The article concludes with suggestions for several directions for future research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666374022000565DASTChildrenPerceptions of scientistsStereotypesSTEM education |
| spellingShingle | Tereza J. Brumovska Sarah Carroll Martin Javornicky Muriel Grenon Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test International Journal of Educational Research Open DAST Children Perceptions of scientists Stereotypes STEM education |
| title | Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test |
| title_full | Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test |
| title_fullStr | Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test |
| title_full_unstemmed | Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test |
| title_short | Brainy, Crazy, Supernatural, Clumsy and Normal: Five profiles of children's stereotypical and non-stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the Draw-A-Scientist-Test |
| title_sort | brainy crazy supernatural clumsy and normal five profiles of children s stereotypical and non stereotypical perceptions of scientists in the draw a scientist test |
| topic | DAST Children Perceptions of scientists Stereotypes STEM education |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666374022000565 |
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