Assessing socio-scientific reasoning through local water issues: instrument development for preservice elementary teachers

Puji Winarti; Sri Haryani; Sri Wardani; Langlang Handayani

doi:10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.871-886

Authors

Puji Winarti Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia , Universitas Darul Ulum Islamic Centre Sudirman, Semarang, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3292-7164 (unauthenticated)
Sri Haryani Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7699-326X (unauthenticated)
Sri Wardani Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0995-851X (unauthenticated)
Langlang Handayani Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2131-5370 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.871-886

Keywords:

Socio-scientific reasoning, local water issue, preservice elementary teacher

Abstract

The study aims to develop and validate a Socio-Scientific Reasoning (SSR) assessment instrument based on local water issues for preservice elementary teachers. The simplified Research and Development (R&D) method from the Borg & Gall model was used in this study. The development process includes three main stages: preliminary study, instrument development and Validation, and limited trials. The instrument was designed around six key dimensions of SSR and consists of 24 extended-response items, contextualized within a conflict over the distribution of Senjoyo springs in Semarang Regency. Content validation was done through expert review using Aiken's V, while empirical validity and reliability were tested using the Rasch model. The results showed that most questions were valid and reliable, with high internal consistency. The instrument trial with 108 preservice elementary school teachers showed that participants' SSR abilities varied, with the highest achievements in the inquiry and context-bound dimensions and the lowest in the skepticism and affordances of science and non-science considerations dimensions. This study emphasizes developing SSR instruments tailored to local contexts to support critical, reflective, and contextually grounded elementary science learning.

References

Alat, S., Irez, S., & Han-Tosunoglu, C. (2023). Impact of the Context of Socioscientific Issues on Discourse Patterns Used in Science Classes. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 14(2), 2093–2117. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.or098

Amalia, A. N., & Arthur, R. (2023). Penyusunan Instrumen Penelitian: Konsep, Teknik, Uji Validitas, Uji Reliabilitas, dan Contoh Instrumen Penelitian. Penerbit NEM.

Ben-Horin, H. (2023). The Fifth Dimension in Socio-Scientific Reasoning: Promoting Decision-Making about Socio-Scientific Issues in a Community. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129708

Birmingham, D., & Calabrese Barton, A. (2014). Putting on a green carnival: Youth taking educated action on socioscientific issues. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 51(3), 286–314. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21127

Boone, W. J. (2016). Rasch analysis for instrument development: Why,when,and how? CBE Life Sciences Education, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.16-04-0148

Chang, H. Y., Hsu, Y. S., Wu, H. K., & Tsai, C. C. (2018). Students'' development of socio-scientific reasoning in a mobile augmented reality learning environment. International Journal of Science Education, 40(12), 1410–1431. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1480075

Darta Putra, E., Maftuh, B., & Supriatna, M. (2025). The Baganduang Boat Value-Based Learning Model in Elementary Schools. Jurnal PAJAR (Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran), 9(2), 250–258. https://doi.org/10.33578/pjr.v9i2.10212

Deta, U. A., Arika, A., Lentika, D. L., Al Lathifah, S. A. S., Suliyanah, S., Admoko, S., & Suprapto, N. (2021). Research Trend of Socio Scientific Issues (SSI) in Physics Learning Through Bibliometric Analysis in 2011-2020 using Scopus Database and the Contribution of Indonesia. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 7(4), 682–692.

https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v7i4.862

Dyan Wulan Sari HS 1 *, Darinda Sofia Tanjung 1, R. L. G. 1, & Nova Florentina Ambarwati 1, Meikardo Samuel Prayuda 1, D. E. (2025). Contextualising IPAS learning through local wisdom: A culturally rooted PJbL model for primary education. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar, 14(4), 604–615. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i4.p604-615

Ghairat, M. S. (2013). ANALYSIS OF TEXTBOOKS IN AFGHANISTAN: Analysis of science textbooks from a Socio-Scientific Issue (SSI) perspective. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:718820

Irmak, M. (2020). Socioscientific Reasoning Competencies and Nature of Science Conceptions of Undergraduate Students from Different Faculties. Science Education International, 31(1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.33828/sei.v31.i1.7

Kavita krishna. (2021). EXPLORING WATER : USING LOCAL CONTEXTS IN SCIENCE TEACHING.

Kinskey, M., & Newton, M. (2024). Teacher candidates'' views of future SSI instruction: a multiple case study. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 6(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-024-00098-5

Kinskey, M., & Zeidler, D. (2024). Elementary preservice teachers'' pedagogical decisions about socioscientific issues instruction. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 61(8), 1890–1924. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21932

Klijnstra, T., Stoel, G. L., Savenije, G. M., & van Boxtel, C. A. M. (2024). Teachers'' professional growth in teaching students'' social scientific reasoning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 152(September), 104783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104783

Levy, A. R., & Moore Mensah, F. M. (2021). Learning through the experience of water in elementary school science. Water (Switzerland), 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/w13010043

Loi, F., Córdova, L. A., Pajarinen, J., Lin, T., Yao, Z., & Goodman, S. B. (2016). Inflammation, fracture and bone repair. Bone, 86, 119–130.

Macalalag, A. Z., Kaufmann, A., Van Meter, B., Ricketts, A., Liao, E., & Ialacci, G. (2024). Socioscientific issues: promoting science teachers'' pedagogy on social justice. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 6(1).

Matthiesen, F. K., Nolte, G., Rehling, F., Arjana, I. G., Sitompul, L. U., Yelianti, U., & Bögeholz, S. (2024). Spatial and social relevance perceptions by preservice teachers of learning about oil palm management as a local or nonlocal socioscientific issue. Frontiers ineducation, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1421716

Norman G. Lederman, Dana L. Zeidler, J. S. L. (2023). HANDBOOK OF RESEARCH ON SCIENCE EDUCATION.

Nugroho, A. A., Sajidan, S., Suranto, S., & Masykuri, M. (2024). Enhancing students'' argumentation skills through socio-scientific real-world inquiry: A quasiexperimental study in biological education. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 9(1), 337–362. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202531979

Nurjanah, S., Istiyono, E., Widihastuti, W., Iqbal, M., & Kamal, S. (2023). The Application ofAiken's V Method for Evaluating the Content Validity of Instruments that Measure the Implementation of Formative Assessments. Journal of Research and Educational Research Evaluation, 12(2), 2023–2125. http://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/jere

Orhan, U., & Genç, M. (2024). Socio-scientific reasoning of science, social studies and primary teachers. Research in Science and Technological Education, 43(3), 758–775. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2024.2338808

Owens, D. C., Sadler, T. D., Petitt, D. N., & Forbes, C. T. (2022). Exploring Undergraduates'' Breadth of Socio-scientific Reasoning Through Domains of Knowledge. Research in Science Education, 52(6), 1643–1658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-021-10014-w

Pablo A. Garcia-Chevesich1, 2, R. V., Martínez4, G., Álvarez5, A., Oscar, Luna3, Maya3, P., Pizarro6, R., Pizarro-Granada7, M., & and John E. McCray. (2023). The Relevance of Water Education in Children: Perspectives from the Americas. Transportation, 178, 519–536. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11116-015-9607-0

Putu Eka Suarmika , Nuris Hidayat, M. S. (2023). Indigenous science disaster risk reduction: A conceptual model integrated learning in Indonesian elementary schools. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar, 2(2), 1–10.

Qu, L. (2023). Preservice Primary School Teachers'' View of Nature of Science Helps Decision-making on Socio-scientific Issues. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 14(2), 2051–2054. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.co031

Rahayu, G. D. S., Maftuh, B., Sapriya, & Sopandi, W. (2024). Socioscientific Issue-Based Decision Making at Elementary School: Bibliometric Analysis. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Review, 7(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijerr.v7i1.68717

Romine, W. L., Sadler, T. D., Dauer, J. M., & Kinslow, A. (2020). Measurement of socio-scientific reasoning (SSR) and exploration of SSR as a progression of competencies. International Journal of Science Education, 42(18), 2981–3002.

Ruth Chadwick, E. M. and O. E. F. (2019). Development and Assessment of Inquiry Skills in the Context of SSI with Preservice Teachers. In Concepts, Strategies and Models to Enhance Physics Teaching and Learning. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18137-6

Sadler, T. D. (2011). Socio-scientific Issues-Based Education: What We Know About Science Education in the Context of SSI BT - Socio-scientific Issues in the Classroom: Teaching, Learning and Research (T. D. Sadler (ed.); pp. 355–369). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1159-4_20

Schenk, L., Hamza, K., Arvanitis, L., Lundegård, I., Wojcik, A., & Haglund, K. (2021). Socioscientific Issues in Science Education: An opportunity to Incorporate Education about Risk and Risk Analysis? Risk Analysis, 41(12), 2209–2219.

Septi, N., Azzah, N., Sa, S., & Maspupah, M. (2024). Analisis Kemampuan Socio-Scientific Reasoning Peserta Didik pada Materi Perubahan Lingkungan. 9–16.

Susilowati, D., Bagus Ardi Saputro, & Sutono, A. (2021). The effect of strengthening the literacy movement in natural and social sciences (IPAS) learning on improving students'' scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 10(APRIL), 1254–1261.

Tekin, N. (2024). INFORMAL REASONING PATTERNS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS OF SCIENCE TEACHERS Energy as a Local Socioscientific Issue. 12(April), 35–46.

Viehmann, C., Fernández Cárdenas, J. M., & Reynaga Peña, C. G. (2024). The Use of Socioscientific Issues in Science Lessons: A Scoping Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145827

Wongwanich, T., Pathumcharoenwattana, W., & Ratana-Ubol, A. (2024). Development of Measurement Instruments for Teachers'' Lifelong Learning Mindset, Learning Habits and Self-Directed Learning. ABAC Journal, 44(4), 118–138.