Volume 3 || Issue 4 - July 2013 - English Constructing a Theoretical Framework on Alternative Frameworks Amongst Learners in Science Constructing a Theoretical Framework on Alternative Frameworks Amongst Learners in Science Rakesh Kumar Assistant Professor MV COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, University of Delhi. Abstract: Through this review of related literature, it emerged that Misconception, Naive Beliefs, Preconceptions, Anchoring Conceptions, Anchors, Children’s Science/Learners’ Science, Intuitive Beliefs, Misconception/Mistakes/Errors/Misunderstandings/Misinterpretations, Alternative Conception, Alternative Framework are the terms used for representing ‘Other Than Scientific’ Conceptions. The terms like misconceptions and misunderstandings are built upon the idea of these other conceptions being at fault. The terms like Naive Believes, Preconceptions and Children’s Science are slightly considerate about the specific ways of looking at reality by the children. The terms Alternative Conceptions and Alternative Frameworks represent a tolerant and considerate viewpoint. The most significant concern of the researchers in this area is that further learning develops on the backdrop of the prior learning. If there are issues in the prior learning of the learners that remain unresolved and under addressed, not just that particular conception but all the related conceptions will be affected. While some researchers find issues with the analogies used by the teachers, some find other conceptions having roots in the daily life experiences of the learners. The researchers argue that it is important for a teacher to know these other conceptions existing before and after the teaching-learning process. Researchers also put forth the idea that if proper time is given and appropriately strategy is used, the learners can address the alternative frameworks effectively. Key words: ‘Other Than Scientific’ Conceptions, Misconception, Naive Beliefs’, Preconceptions, Anchoring Conceptions, Anchors, Children’s Science/Learners’ Science, Intuitive Beliefs, Misconception/ Mistakes/ Errors/ Misunderstandings/ Misinterpretations, Alternative Conception, Alternative Framework, Displacing Misconceptions, Addressing Alternative Frameworks Introduction Before understanding the meaning of theoretical framework, it is important for us to think about ‘a theory’. We also need to sort out if the theory is something which is full and final and what is the role of research. Can we differentiate between theory, method, fact and framework? Can there be a fact which is independent of theory? How is data collected during a piece of research related with theory? How is a fact interpreted in terms of a theory? How are facts related with different paradigms? What aspects should researcher to take care of while conducting a piece of research. “Theory and method, fact and framework of interpretation are tied together in an inextricable mix. There is no such thing as an independent fact. All pieces of data must be tied to theory or they have no meaning at all. A fact awaiting interpretation is like a windshield wiper waiting to be switched on. Facts are paradigm-dependent, and different paradigms rearrange the criteria for accepting something as ''truth/' So, if the researcher wishes to know something, he or she will have to pay some attention to the body of theory that gives rise to the questions the research will ultimately try to answer.”(Guy, R. F., Edgley, C. E., Arafat, 1987) Context and Background Apart from bookish knowledge, the researchers’ questions are often grounded in personal experiences of reality around them. These questions in the initial stages are loosely related with any theory or paradigm. A researcher tries to find out what body of knowledge has been so far generated in relation with these questions. With the understanding of this body of knowledge, the researcher believes in a framework of most closely related theoretical structures that formulate the theoretical framework of the research. “Theory leads the process of research by setting forth a logically coherent series of interrelated propositions that might account for some phenomenon in which an investigator is interested. For example, let us suppose that as a result of a course in marriage and the family, you have gotten interested in why there is so much divorce in the United States these days. Perhaps you yourself came from a broken home and feel that in your case, at least, economic pressures were responsible for the breakup of your parents' marriage. You want to know, then, whether the general theory that economic pressures cause broken homes is true or not. You have not yet generated a theory but simply have an idea about a relationship between two variables. What do you do next? A search of the literature might reveal that quite a bit has been written about this relationship and that the issue is a lot more complicated than you thought. Other variables are suddenly brought to your attention that might have some effect on what you are now beginning to see as a very complex relationship. Conflict, theory, exchange theory, and even Marxian theory may have ideas worthy of consideration. Out of this welter of theoretical material, you can then begin to develop a specific hypothesis that may be tested by appropriate methodological techniques.”(Guy, R. F., Edgley, C. E., Arafat, 1987). It is not just the researcher’s point of view that gets modified in the process of going through the journey of research. The contemporary theoretical perspectives also get modified with the findings revealed through a piece of research. But that happens only at the later stages. In the present case researcher’s own classroom experience needs to be explored to find out what are the different perspectives related to the phenomena of diverse views of learners that do not match the scientifically accepted conceptions. While Thomas Kuhn in his work ‘The Structure of Scientific Revolutions’ had claimed that all scientific activities are like puzzle solving, we can debate this notion’s Constructing a Theoretical Framework on Alternative Frameworks Amo... http://www.ijerei.com/index.php?view=article&catid=90:english&id=27... 1 of 4 12/25/2016 10:58 PM