Shaping Future Scientists’ Ideas About Science: Factors Influencing the NOS Ideas of Research Postgraduate Students

Abstract

To be ready for the challenges in their future scientific endeavours, the scientists-in-training need to develop a sophisticated understanding of the nature of the scientific work. Many studies have explored the Nature of Science (NOS) conceptions of students in taught courses and practising scientists. However, less attention has been paid to the research postgraduate students in scientific disciplines (Sci-RPG), particularly the role of formative laboratory experiences. The current study compares the formation of NOS conceptions of Sci-RPG in two mainland China sites (Beijing and Shanghai) with that in Hong Kong. Semistructured interviews of 20 Sci-RPG (10 in Hong Kong and 10 in mainland China) who engaged in laboratorybased disciplines were conducted to address two research questions: (1) What are the prevailing NOS conceptions of the Sci-RPG in mainland China sites and those in Hong Kong? (2) What are the impacts of laboratory research experience on the development of NOS conceptions of Sci-RPG? Through iterative coding, memoing, and theme identification, both macro-level sociocultural context and micro-level laboratory atmospheres were found to be influential on Sci-RPG’s conception of scientific enterprise-society interactions. In particular, Sci-RPG in mainland China were more aware of the role of social and political factors on the choice of the foci of research and the intensity of inter-research group competition. The current study provides meaningful input to the re-design of Sci-RPG programmes that facilitates the development of sophisticated ideas about science, which serve to guide the training of future scientists in our world of ever-accelerating changes.