Using an enhanced conflict map in the classroom (photoelectric effect) based on lakatosian heuristic principle strategies

Abstract

Researchers have shown that most students resist changes to their core beliefs by offering auxiliary hypotheses at the first sign of the development of conceptual change. Studies have viewed student reaction to discrepant events as an important clue in helping researchers understand not only the structure of alternative concepts (Niaz, Science & Education, 7(2):107 - 127, 1998) but also the nature of scientific concepts. The main objectives of this research were the following: (a) to consider prudently the conflict map of Tsai (International Journal of Science Education, 22(3):285 - 302, 2000); (b) to initiate and develop an enhanced conflict map based on Lakatosian ethodology, which could help science teachers and students resolve conflicts that occur in the explanation of natural phenomena; (c) to examine the effectiveness of the enhanced conflict map; and (d) to discuss these implications in science education. Specifically, this study used two freshman classes from the Department of Electronics and one class of Astronomy majors from C. National University, South Korea, to investigate how scientific concepts change after selecting the modern physics field (Photoelectric effect), which is included in the Physics and Astronomy courses. Modern physics has led to the so-called Lakatosian heuristic principle or methodology, a useful framework that includes scientific philosophy and science history as study strategies. "Enhanced conflict maps" are suggested for use to consistently show all the study processes. © 2010 The Author(s).