Work

Integrating Socio-Scientific Issues and Scientific Process Skills in Special Education: Effects on Pre-Service Teachers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the effectiveness of a training program designed to support pre-service special education teachers in integrating Scientific Process Skills (SPS) and Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI) into their teaching practices. A mixed-methods research design was employed with 30 pre-service teachers enrolled in special education programs at various universities in Türkiye. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently and analyzed separately. Quantitative data were obtained using the Scientific Process Skills Achievement Test and the Affective Tendency Scale toward Teaching Socio-Scientific Issues, which includes sub-dimensions of self-efficacy, pedagogical content knowledge, attitude, and perceived usefulness. Paired samples t-test results indicated a statistically significant improvement in participants’ SPS achievement scores (p < .05, η 2 = .52). Significant increases were also observed across all affective sub-dimensions related to teaching SSI (p < .05, η 2 = .57). These improvements were achieved through instructional activities in which socio-scientific issues were explicitly integrated with scientific process skills, enabling participants to engage with real-life problems and apply scientific reasoning in special education contexts. Qualitative findings supported these results, indicating enhanced awareness of SSI-based instruction and its role in supporting independent living skills. Overall, the findings suggest that integrating SPS with SSI contributes to the cognitive and affective development of pre-service teachers and strengthens their ability to design meaningful science instruction for students with special needs.

Source: SAGE Open

DOI: 10.1177/21582440261489864

Authors: Necla Işıkdoğan Uğurlu, Sevilay Atmaca, Hatice Nilay Kayhan

Institutions: Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, İstanbul Esenyurt Üniversitesi, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Language: English

Topic: Science Education and Pedagogy

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,600