Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In this thesis, we present the concepts of science and technology (S&T) of freshman students of the Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Pedagogy and Chemistry courses at the University of São Paulo (USP), as well as a representative sample of the Brazilian population.The theoretical framework was built from the Critical Theory, in which we highlight the concepts of the Dialectic of Enlightenment and reflect on the relationships between science and society and the coercions of cultural industry and technical rationalism (ADORNO; HORKHEIMER, 1985).We also discuss theoretical models that explain Scientific Culture and how the school can appropriate scientific communication, produced from a commercialized science, and use it in a way that promotes an emancipatory education.From these assumptions, we built a model that analyzes both S&T conceptions and the factors that influence them, such as sociodemographic variables, cultural habits and sources of information.Two data analyzes were performed: the first deals with the research conducted at USP, with a questionnaire composed of questions from the public understanding of S&T surveys, as well as specific research items for students (ROSE and PISA).The second set of data analyzes the results from the Public Understanding of S&T Survey, conducted in Brazil by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Information (MCTI), in 2015.The model built from the theoretical framework had its relationships tested statistically.In addition to applying techniques that allow the reduction of the dimensionality of the variables, classic statistical tests (regression, t-test, categorical regression, correlation etc.) were performed, as well as moderation and mediation tests.Among the results, we highlight that in both surveys the sociodemographic variables had residual explanations or had no significant effects.Other variables, such as information and perceptions about science classes, presented significant relationships that mainly indicate positivist conceptions of S&T.Hence, we perceive the influence of cultural industry and technical rationality in the spheres of scientific culture, prevailing conceptions that indicate acriticity.Recognizing this influence, we argue that the school should act in this process in a way that is not restricted to promoting the consumption of science communication, but enables students to conduct a critical analysis in order to recognize the aspects of domination involved in the production and communication of S&T in order to promote emancipation.
Author: Raquel Roberta Bertoldo
Language: Portuguese
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Funder: Universidade de São Paulo
OpenAlex ID: W3047284684