Exploring the characteristics of argumentation in secondary school students: A study of reasoning, structure, and communication skills

This study examines the characteristics of students' arguments when they confronted with scientific claims. A qualitative single case study was conducted to investigate the problem. Data was collected through observations and interviews, by using the convenient sampling method in a tenth grade (n=9) class in Norway. Audio recordings were used to capture the students when they were solving argumentation-based tasks in small groups. Interviews were also been conducted with two of the students afterward. A constant comparative analysis approach was used to analyze the student conversations and a thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The results indicated that the students used short statements to express both support and opposition to each other’s arguments. In addition, different types of content were also used when students built their arguments, including ethical considerations, examples, fantasy based on their imagination, and assessments of probability of the socio scientific issues. There were certain variations among the groups when it comes to group dynamics, and based on this, argumentation could be an activity that involves a social risk for students. It can be said that this aspect also improved the effectiveness of the argumentation process within most groups, encouraging authentic discussions about challenging issues.