Abstract

In this chapter, we will review the role of epistemic practices of science in science education, in particular in relation to teachers’ learning of argumentation, an example epistemic practice in science. Epistemic practices in science could involve a range of knowledge production and evaluation processes such as coordination of theory and evidence, and making sense of patterns in data. Epistemic practices in science education refer to those cognitive and discursive activities that engage learners in the knowledge construction and evaluation processes of science. Conventionally in school science, students’ engagement in epistemic practices of science and in argumentation in particular has been scarce. Despite years of reform across the world to improve science teaching and learning, the epistemic aspects of science teaching and learning continue to be of concern to many science education researchers (e.g. Chinn & Malhotra, 2002; Jimenez-Aleixandre, Bugallo-Rodriguez, & Duschl, 2000; Kaya, Erduran, & Cetin, 2012; Kelly & Takao, 2002; Sandoval & Reiser, 2004). Argumentation as the process of justification of knowledge claims with evidence is an instance of epistemic practices of science (Erduran, & Jimenez-Aleixandre, 2007) including the articulation of the role of subject knowledge in science (Cetin, Erduran, & Kaya, 2010).