METHODOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IN ARGUMENTATION RESEARCH IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

ABSTRACT:

A critical review of methodological challenges posed by research about argumentation in science education is presented. We distinguish three types of challenges, which are interconnected: theoretical, how it is characterized, how it is framed; methodological, how it is studied and analyzed, what is analyzed, object of this paper; didactic, how to design classroom environments to promote its practice, how to articulate it with science learning. Five types of methodological challenges are identified: 1) what counts as argument; 2) the object of study and the unit of analysis; 3) the adequacy of different methodological tools; 4) how to define, identify and use different tools' elements in research; and 5) how to analyze sophisticated dimensions of argumentation.

Keywords:
Argumentation; Methodology; Argumentation analysis