Abstract
In physics teaching experimentality is an integral component in giving the starting point of knowledge formation and conceptualization. However, epistemology of experiments is not often addressed directly in the educational and pedagogical literature. This warrants an attempt to produce an acceptable reconstruction of the epistemological role of experiments in physics by drawing insight from history and philosophy of physics. Towards that end, the experiments’ role in the 19th-century physics is discussed. We propose here a reconstruction, which is based on the idea that in epistemology of experiments the inductive-like generative justification of knowledge is central. A generative view makes it possible to retain those aspects of experiments which make them purposeful for learning and can give a starting point for students’ own construction of knowledge. The reconstruction also helps to conceive the experiments with their correct historical role and helps to bring back the generative use of experiments in teaching, which, after all, has never vanished from the practice of physics.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
A. Arons (1993) ArticleTitle‘Guiding Insight and Inquiry in the Introductory Physics Laboratory’ The Physics Teacher 31 278–282
E. Bagno B.-S. Eylon U. Ganiel (2000) ArticleTitle‘From Fragmented Knowledge to a Knowledge Structure: Linking the Domains of Mechanics and Electromagnetism’ American Journal of Physics 68 S16–S26 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.19515
J. Berry P. Sahlberg (1996) ArticleTitle‘Investigating Pupils’ Ideas of Learning’ Learning and Instruction 6 19–36 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0959-4752(96)80002-8
S.G. Brush (1983) Statistical Physics and the Atomic Theory of Matter Princeton University Press Princeton
J.D. Buchwald (1994) The Creation of Scientific Effects University of Chicago Press Chicago
N. Cartwright (1983) How the Laws of Physics Lie Clarendon Press Oxford
H. Chang (2001) ArticleTitle‘Spirit, Air and Quicksilver: The Search for the “Real” Scale of Temperature’ Historical studies in the physical and biological sciences 31 249–284 Occurrence Handle10.1525/hsps.2001.31.2.249
O. Darrigol (2000) Electrodynamics from Ampere to Einstein Oxford University Press Oxford
Duhem P. 1914/1954, The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory (translation of La Théorie Physique: Son Objet, Sa Structure, 2nd edn, 1914 Paris), Princeton University Press, Princeton.
R. Duit J. Confrey (1996) ‘Reorganizing the Curriculum and Teaching to Improve Learning in Science and Mathematics’ D.F. Treagust R. Duit B.J. Fraser (Eds) Improving Teaching and Learning in Science and Mathematics Teachers College Press, Columbia University New York
A. Einstein (1970) ‘Autobiographical Notes’ P. Schilpp (Eds) Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist. The Library of Living Philosophers NumberInSeriesVol. 7 MJF Books New York
E. Etkina A. Heuvelen ParticleVan D.T. Brookes D. Mills (2002) ArticleTitle‘Role of Experiments in Physics Instruction – a Process Approach’ The Physics Teacher 40 351–355
R.P. Feynman R.B. Leighton M. Sands (1963) The Feynman Lectures on Physics Addison-Wesley Reading, MA
A. Franklin (1986) The Neglect of Experiment Cambridge University Press Cambridge
A. Franklin (1999) ArticleTitle‘The Roles of Experiment’ Physics in Perspective 1 35–53 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s000160050004
A. Fine (1986) The Shaky Game University of Chicago Press Chicago
P. Galison (1997) Image and Logic University of Chicago Press Chicago
R.N. Giere (1988) Explaining Science: A Cognitive Approach University of Chicago Press Chicago
R.N. Giere (1999) Science without Laws University of Chicago Press Chicago
D. Gil-Pérez J. Guisásola A. Moreno A. Cachapuz A.M. Pessoade Carvalho J. Martínez Torregrosa J. Salinas P. Valdés E. González A. Gené Duch A. Dumas-Carré H. Tricárico R. Gallego (2002) ArticleTitle‘Defending Constructivism in Science Education’ Science & Education 11 557–571
D. Gooding (1990) Experiment and the Making of Meaning Kluwer Academic Publisher Dordrecht
D. Gooding T. Pinch S Schaffer (Eds) (1993) The Uses of Experiment: Studies in the Natural Sciences Cambridge University Press Cambridge
I. Hacking (1983) Representing and Intervening Cambridge University Press Cambridge
D. Hammer (1996) ArticleTitle‘More than Misconceptions: Multiple Perspectives on Student Knowledge and Reasoning, and an Appropriate role for Education Research’ American Journal of Physics 64 1316–1325 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.18376
N.R. Hanson (1958) Patterns of Discovery Cambridge University Press Cambridge
M. Heidelberger (1998) ‘From Helmholtz’s Philosophy of Science to Hertz’ Picture Theory’ D. Baird R.I.G. Hughes A. Nordmann (Eds) Heinrich Hertz: Classical Physicist, Modern Philosopher Kluwer Academic Publisher Dordrecht
D. Hestenes (1992) ArticleTitle‘Modeling Games in the Newtonian World’ American Journal of Physics 60 732–748
D. Hestenes (1998) ArticleTitle‘Who Needs Physics Education Research?’ American Journal of Physics 66 465–467 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.18898
D. Hodson (1992) ArticleTitle‘In Search of a Meaningful Relationship: An Exploration of some Issues Relating to Integration in Science and Science Education’ International Journal of Science Education 14 541–562
D. Hodson (1993) ArticleTitle‘Re-Thinking Old Ways: Towards a More Critical Approach to Practical Work in Science’ Studies in Science Education 22 85–142
D. Hodson (1996) ArticleTitle‘Laboratory Work as Scientific Method: Three Decades of Confusion and Distortion’ Journal of Curriculum Studies 28 115–135
G. Hon (2003) ArticleTitle‘From Propagation to Structure: The Experimental Technique of Bombardment as Contributing Factor to the Emerging Quantum Physics’ Physics in Perspective 5 150–173
M. Izquierdo-Aymerich A. Adúriz-Bravo (2003) ArticleTitle‘Epistemological Foundations of School Science’ Science & Education 12 27–43
Jungnickel C., McCormmach R. (1986). Intellectual Mastery of Nature: Theoretical Physics from Ohm to Einstein,Vol. 1: The Torch of Mathematics, 1800–1870, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
E. Jurkowitz (2002) ArticleTitle‘Helmholtz and the Liberal Unification of Science’ Historical Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences 32 291–317 Occurrence Handle10.1525/hsps.2002.32.2.291
D.-W. Kim (2002) Leadership and Creativity: A History of the Cavendish Laboratory, 1871–1919 Kluwer Academic Publisher Dordrecht
I.T. Koponen T. Mäntylä J. Lavonen (2004) ArticleTitle‘The Role of Physics Departments in Developing Student Teachers’ Expertise in Teaching Physics’ European Journal of Physics 25 645–653 Occurrence Handle10.1088/0143-0807/25/5/007
T.S. Kuhn (1996) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions EditionNumber3 University of Chicago Press Chicago
J. Lavonen J. Jauhiainen I.T. Koponen K. Kurki-Suonio (2004) ArticleTitle‘Effect of a Long-term in-service Training Program on Teachers’ Beliefs about the Role of Experiments in Physics Education’ International Journal of Science Education 26 309–328 Occurrence Handle10.1080/095006903200007433
R. Lazarowitz P. Tamir (1994) ‘Research on Using Laboratory Instruction in Science’ D.L. Gabel (Eds) Handbook of Science Teaching and Learning Macmillan Publishing Company New York
M.R. Matthews (1997) ArticleTitle‘Introductory Comments on Philosophy and Constructivism in Science Education’ Science & Education 6 5–14
M.R. Matthews (2000) ArticleTitle‘Editorial’ Science & Education 9 491–505
D.B. May E. Etkina (2002) ArticleTitle‘College Physics Students’ Epistemological Self-Reflection and its Relationship to Conceptual Learning’ American Journal of Physics 70 1249–1258 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.1503377
L. McDermott P.S. Shaffer C.P. Constantinou (2000) ArticleTitle‘Preparing Teachers to Teach Physics and Physical Science by Inquiry’ Physics Education 35 411–416 Occurrence Handle10.1088/0031-9120/35/6/306
R. Millar (1989) ‘What is Scientific Method and Can it be Taught?’ J. Wellington (Eds) Skills and Processes in Science Education Routledge London
N. Nersessian (1984) Faraday to Einstein: Constructing Meaning in Scientific Theory Kluwer Academic Publisher Dordrecht
N. Nersessian (1995) ArticleTitle‘Should Physicists Preach What They Practise?’ Science & Education 4 203–226 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00486621
M. Niaz F. Abd-El-Khalick A. Benarroch L. Cardellini C.E. Laburú N. Marín L.A. Montes R. Nola Y. Orlik L.C. Scharmann C.-C. Tsai G. Tsaparlis (2003) ArticleTitle‘Constructivism: Defense or a Continual Critical Appraisal – A Response to Gil-Perez et al.’ Science & Education 12 787–797 Occurrence Handle10.1023/B:SCED.0000004555.57519.8f
T. Nickles (1993) ‘Justification and Experiment’ D. Gooding T. Pinch S. Schaffer (Eds) The Uses of Experiment: Studies in the Natural Sciences Cambridge University Press Cambridge
R. Nola (1997) ArticleTitle‘Constructivism in Science and Science Education: A Philosophical Critique’ Science & Education 6 55–83
Popper, K.: 1935/2002, The Logic of Scientific Discovery, (translation of Logik der Forschung, 1935), Routledge Classics, Routledge, London.
E. Redish (1994) ArticleTitle‘The Implications of Cognitive Studies for Teaching Physics’ American Journal of Physics 62 796–803 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.17461
E.F. Redish (1999) ArticleTitle‘Millikan Lecture 1998: Building a Science of Teaching Physics’ American Journal of Physics 67 562–573 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.19326
H. Reichenbach (1951) The Rise of Scientific Philosophy California University of California Press Berkeley
F. Reif (1987) ArticleTitle‘Instructional Design, Cognition and Technology: Applications to the Teaching of Scientific Concepts’ Journal of Research in Science Teaching 24 309–324
F. Reif (1995) ArticleTitle‘Millikan Lecture 1994: Understanding and Teaching Important Scientific Thought Processes’ American Journal of Physics 63 17–32 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.17764
S. Reif-Acherman (2004) ArticleTitle‘Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: Master of Experimental Technique and Quantitative Research’ Physics in Perspective 6 197–223 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00016-003-0193-8
G. Robin (1904) Oeuvres Scientifiques. Thermodynamique Générale Gauthier Villars Paris
D. Sokoloff R. Thornton (1997) ArticleTitle‘Using Interactive Lecture Demonstrations to Create an Active Learning Environment’ The Physics Teacher 35 340–347
C. Smith M.N. Wise (1989) Energy and Empire: A Biographical Study of Lord Kelvin Cambridge University Press Cambridge
F. Suppe (1977) The Structure of Scientific Theories EditionNumber2 University of Illinois Press Urbana
S. Toulmin (1969) The Philosophy of Science: An Introduction Hutchinson London
R. Trumper (2003) ArticleTitle‘The Physics Laboratory – A Historical Overview and Future and Perspectives’ Science & Education 12 645–670
B. Fraassen Particlevan (1980) The Scientific Image Clarendon Press Oxford
A. Heuvelen ParticleVan (1991) ArticleTitle‘Learning to Think like a Physicist: A Review of Research-Based Instructional Strategies’ American Journal of Physics 59 891–897
H. Helmholtz Particlevon (1886) ‘On the Relation of Natural Science to Science in General’ D. Cahan (Eds) Helmholtz, Science and Culture: Popular and philosophical Essays University of Chicago Press Chicago
J.R. Watson T. Prieto J. Dillon (1995) ArticleTitle‘The Effects of Practical Work on Students’ Understanding of Combustion’ Journal of Research in Science Teaching 32 487–502
S. Weinberg (1993) Dreams of a Final Theory Vintage London
J. Wellington (1998) ‘Practical Work in Science’ J. Wellington (Eds) Practical Work in School Science: Which Way Now? Routledge London
M. Wells D. Hestenes G. Swackhamer (1995) ArticleTitle‘A Modeling Method for High School Physics Instruction’ American Journal of Physics 63 606–619 Occurrence Handle10.1119/1.17849
W. Whewell (1847) Philosophy of Inductive Sciences J. W. Parker London
T. White (1996) ArticleTitle‘The Link Between the Laboratory and Learning’ International Journal of Science Education 18 761–774
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koponen, I.T., Mäntylä, T. Generative Role of Experiments in Physics and in Teaching Physics: A Suggestion for Epistemological Reconstruction. Sci Educ 15, 31–54 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-005-3199-6
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-005-3199-6