Knowledge Sources and Opinions of Prospective Social Studies Teachers about Possible Risk and Benefit Analysis: Nuclear Energy and Power Stations

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the trust status of prospective social studies teachers regarding various knowledge sources related to nuclear energy and power stations regarded as a controversial socioscientific issue and their perceptions on the possible risks and benefits of nuclear energy and power stations. Target population of the study consisted of prospective teachers studying in the Social studies Teaching Department of Faculty of Education at Afyon Kocatepe University during the fall term of 2015- 2016 academic year. Volunteer teacher candidates from each grade participated in the study. The data required for the study were collected by using "Risks and Benefits about Nuclear Energy" questionnaire developed by İşleri (2012) and a measurement tool which determines the reliability of the knowledge sources related to nuclear energy and establishment of power stations. Descriptive statistics were conducted on the data obtained after the application of the measurement tools to 270 prospective teachers. According to the results obtained from the study, it was found out that the prospective teachers agreed that the nuclear energy and power stations were both risky and beneficial. According to another result obtained, scientists working on the issue received the highest confidence whereas members of parliament, companies and news on televisions received the lowest confidence