The aim of this qualitative study was to explore research assistants&rsquo / opinions
regarding the courses they take during their graduate study in terms of improving
their science perception and research skills.
The research questions include research assistants&rsquo / assessments about the
effectiveness of graduate courses on research skills and science perception, their
evaluation of the graduate programs in terms of improving science perception, and
their suggestions on the improvement of the quality of the graduate program
regarding science perception and research skills.
The sample for the present study contains 12 interviewees from four different
v
institutes of Middle East Technical University. The interviewees are all PhD
candidates at METU. The sample was chosen by using purposive sampling. In this
study, the data collection instrument was a semi-structured interview guide designed
by the researcher. There were 8 main questions and 9 sub-questions. The collected
data was analyzed through content analysis.
The results of the study are presented under four main themes, which were
derived from the research questions. First theme was the assessment of research
skills which was about usefulness of courses, competence about research methods,
reasons for not taking courses, problems because of not taking them. The second
theme was the assessment of science perception which was about contributions of
courses, reasons for not taking courses. The third theme was the evaluation of the
graduate programs which consisted of should-be-developed and positive aspects. The
last theme was about suggestions which could be realized by university
administration and by personal efforts.
In conclusion, the findings revealed that the research assistants are aware of
the importance of research methods course for enhancing research skills, and of
effectiveness of history and philosophy of science course regarding the improving of
science perception. In this respect, based on literature review and the research
assistants&rsquo / views it is suggested that history and philosophy of science course
utilizing explicitly-reflective inquiry approach should be included curriculum of
graduate programs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613700/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 September 2011 |
| Creators | Yasan, Nehir |
| Contributors | Yildirim, Soner |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for METU campus |
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