Students’ Understanding of Research Methodology in the Context of Dynamics of Scientific Progress

This book discusses how to improve high school students’understanding of research methodology based on alternative interpretations of data, role of controversies, creativity andthe scientific method, in the context of the oil drop experiment. These aspects form an important part of thenature of science (NOS). The study reported in this volume is is based on a reflective, explicit and activity-based approach to teachingnature of science (NOS) that can facilitate high school students’ understanding of how scientists elaborate theoreticalframeworks, design experiments, report data that leads to controversies and finally with thecollaboration of the scientific community a consensus is reached. Most students changed their   perspective and drew concept maps in whichthey emphasized the creative, accumulative, controversialnature of science and the scientific method.