An Action Research on the Development of Research and Formatting Data as a Table Skills through Research-Based Teaching in Life Studies Course

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop third grade primary school students' research skills and formatting data as a table skills as a secondary skill through research-based teaching in Life Science course. Within the scope of this purpose, action research design was used in the study. The study group consists of third grade primary school students in the researcher participant's class in the 2021-2022 academic year. As a sampling technique, easily accessible case sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used. The research lasted eight weeks, one day a week. During this period, activity-based skills training was applied to improve students' research and formatting data as a table skills. Through these activities, solutions were sought for the deficiencies observed in the process. Data were collected through observations made during the trainings, researcher diary, field notes and student worksheets. The data obtained from the research were subjected to descriptive analysis and content analysis. As a result of the study, students gained knowledge about research skill and its sub-steps and developed awareness and perception change towards research. They realised that conducting research is not only collecting data but also has other stages. However, they conducted all their research on the internet. They had difficulties in interpreting and organising the complex and dense information they encountered on the internet. This situation caused loss of motivation from time to time. However, students formed an idea about the steps to be followed while conducting a research.