What scientists say Scientists’ views of models：科学家说，科学家们的意见模型精品.pdfVIP

Schwartz Lederman 1 AERA 05 Scientists’ views of models What scientists say: Scientists’ views of models Renee’ S. Schwartz Western Michigan University Mallinson Institute for Science Education Department of Biological Sciences Kalamazoo, MI 49087 r.schwartz@wmich.edu Norman G. Lederman Illinois Institute of Technology Department of Mathematics and Science Education Chicago, IL Ledermann@iit.edu This paper focuses on scientists’ views of scientific models and their use in authentic practice. Participants were 24 scientists, averaging 25 years research experience, representing four discipline areas. Views of scientific models were assessed through an open-ended questionnaire (VNOS-Sci) and interviews. The scientists described models relative to their research in a variety of ways, from model development to model use through testing of predictions. Model development and model use were described as distinct practices. Those who emphasized model use had a greater tendency to emphasize prediction in scientific research. The analysis revealed multiple descriptions of the purpose of models in authentic practice. The majority of the scientists reported that models explain or organize observations/predict/test. Other descriptions in