Content and Structure of Scientific Values

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to identify values relevant to the context of science and test their location in the motivational value circle proposed by Schwartz (1992). Based on the available scientific values literature, creativity, curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, rationality, objectivity, communality, integrity, and consistency values were identified as scientific values. Items were generated by the authors to measure their importance. Two studies were conducted to test five hypotheses. In Study 1, with a student sample (N = 624, M age = 22), results revealed that scientific values were empirically located between Self-Direction and Universalism values, and there was a sinusoidal pattern of correlations between the scientific values and the other value types. In Study 2 (N = 181, M age = 21.5), scientific values were observed to be positively correlated with the attitudes towards science as measured by semantic differential scales and the need for cognition scores, and negatively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty scores. The present research was the first attempt to integrate scientific values into the circular structure of values. Results were discussed as confirming the hypothesized structure of scientific values, and as providing initial support for the convergent and divergent validity of the scientific values measure. Using convenience samples with a potential self-selection bias, collecting data from Turkish university students, over-representation of women in Study 2, and low reliability coefficients for value type measures other than the scientific values were noted as methodological limitations. Attempts to replicate the results of the present research in cross-cultural studies and to investigate the relationships between the scientific values and personality measures other than the ones used in the present study to extend convergent validity are suggested as future research directions.

Opinions of Graduate Students Regarding Scientific Value

“…In another study conducted by Ergin (2021) with the particiapation of Social Studies Teachers for the value of being scientific, the results as "proven" and "realistic" in the categorical distribution of the metaphors support the present research findings. In their work, Demirutku and Güngör (2021) determined the values of creativity, curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, rationality, objectivity, commonality, scientific ethics and consistency as scientific values. It can be said that rationality and objectivity coincide with the research findings of this study.…”

“…When the studies in the literature are analyzed, it is seen that a variety of research studies have been conducted in the field of the scientific value. It is found out that these studies are conducted with secondary school students (Katılmış, Ekşi & Öztürk, 2010;Sözcü, 2015;Sözcü & Aydınözü, 2018;Osmanoğlu, 2019;Durmaz, 2019;Çelebi, 2020;), teacher candidates (Çal & Demirkaya, 2018;Er Türküresin, 2018), university students (Demirutku & Güngör, 2021) and working adults (Demirutku & Güngör, 2017) in terms of the samples and study groups. In the study conducted by Ergin, (2021), the perceptions of Social Studies teachers and middle school 6th grade students on the value of being scientific and Social Studies teachers' views on the value of being scientific were determined.…”

Academic Research Values: Conceptualization and Initial Steps of Measure Development

“…Almost all of our participants agreed with the importance of values associated with being ambitious, capable, intelligent, creative, independent, honest, responsible, or curious. Since many of these values are embedded within the beliefs held about the "positive" sides of the personality and motivations of researchers (intelligent, honest, curious, independentsee for example: Tintori (2017), Johnson and Dieckmann (2020)) or oft-cited within codes of conduct, research integrity courses, and discussions about the responsible conduct of research (honest, responsible) as well as prior measures of scientific values (Demirutku & Güngör, 2021;English et al, 2018;Knafo & Sagiv, 2004), this result is probably not surprising. However, the results of our line of research pertaining to less examined values in the scientific context seem relevant to several ongoing discussions.…”

“…We know of two papers that aim to pursue a psychological approach to scientific values. The first is a study by Demirutku & Güngör's (2021), who add a value type labeled "scientific values" into the circular structure of Schwartz's personal value theory (1992). However, Demirutku & Güngör's approach adds value items drawn from sociological and educational sources not in line with the psychological conceptualization of values (e.g., rationality or objectivity) to a set of personal value items without further integration.…”