Exploring the characteristics of argumentation in secondary school students - A study of reasoning, structure, and communication skills

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa

This study examines the characteristics of students' arguments when confronted with scientific claims. A qualitative single-case design investigated reasoning, structure, and communication in a tenth-grade class in Norway (n=9). Observations and interviews used convenient sampling and were complemented by audio recordings from small-group argumentation tasks, with follow-up interviews for two students. Constant comparative analysis and thematic analysis showed students relied on short statements, drawing on ethical considerations, examples, imaginative fantasy, and probabilistic assessment of socio-scientific issues.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

A Study of the Characteristics of Argumentation in Secondary School Students

Theoretical Framework

Method

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Asian Journal of Education and Training Vol. 11, No. 2, 70-81, 2025 ISSN(E) 2519-5387 DOI: 10.20448/edu. v11i2 .6804 © 2025 by the author; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group Exploring the characteristics of argumentation in secondary school students: A study of reasoning, structure, and communication skills Emelie Otnes 1 Mukadder BARAN2􀀣 1Science Teacher at Straumsnes Barne-Og Ungdomskule, Norway. Email: [emotnes@gmail.com](emotnes@gmail.com) 2Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway. [Email:](Email: mukadder.baran@hvl.no)[ ](Email: mukadder.baran@hvl.no)[mukadder.baran@hvl.no](Email: mukadder.baran@hvl.no) (􀀣 Corresponding Author) Abstract This study examines the characteristics of students' arguments when they are confronted with scientific claims. A qualitative single-case study was conducted to investigate the problem. Data were collected through observations and interviews, using the convenient sampling method in a tenth-grade (n=9) class in Norway. Audio recordings captured the students while they were solving argumentation-based tasks in small groups. Interviews were also conducted with two of the students afterward. A constant comparative analysis approach was used to analyze the students' conversations, and a thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The results indicated that the students used short statements to express both support and opposition to eachother's arguments. Additionally, different types of content were used when students built their arguments, including ethical considerations, examples, fantasy based on their imagination, and assessments of the probability of socio-scientific issues. There were certain variations among the groups regarding group dynamics, and based on this, argumentation could be an activity that involves social risk for students. It can be said that this aspect also improved the effectiveness of the argumentation process within most groups, encouraging authentic discussions about challenging issues. Keywords: Argumentation-based learning, Argumentation, Science education, Secondary school, Socio scientific issues, Critical thinking. Citation | Otnes, E., & BARAN, M. (2025) . Exploring the characteristics of argumentation in secondary school students: A study of reasoning, structure, and communication skills. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 11(2), 70-81. 10. 20448/edu.v11i2 .6804. History: Received: 3 May 2025 Revised: 31 May 2025 Accepted: 4 June 2025 Published: 20 June 2025 Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License Publisher: Asian Online Journal Publishing Group Funding: This research didn`t receive any financial support Institutional Review Board Statement: The Ethical Committee of Norway which is called SIKT has granted approval for this study on 8 November 2022 (Ref. No. 506386). Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study; that no vital features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned have been explained. This study followed all ethical practices during writing. Competing Interests: The author declares that there are no conflicts of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Authors’Contributions: Both authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. Both authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 71 2. Theoretical Framework .................................................................................................................................................................. 71 3. Method ................

FAQs

What research design and setting were used to study students' argumentation?

A qualitative single-case study investigated student arguments in a Norwegian tenth-grade class (n=9). Data came from observations and interviews, supported by audio recordings of small-group tasks.

How did students express support and opposition in their arguments?

Students used short statements to express both support and opposition to peers' arguments during argumentation-based activities.

What kinds of content did students draw on when building arguments?

Students incorporated ethical considerations, examples, fantasy drawn from imagination, and assessments of the probability of socio-scientific issues.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa