2. Literature Review
As a result of investigating databases such as ERIC, Springer, EBSCOHOST and ThaiLIS, related to socio-scientific decision making. As a result of the first classification, these studies were found to concentrate on the subjects of teaching socioscientific issues (SSI), students’ reasoning processes in making decisions about SSI, and decision making framework for SSI. Therefore, this paper emphasizes the enhancement of decision making through SSI and related concepts’ in the last three decades. After reviewing related researches, the author found that there was an emphasis on the development of socio-scientific decision making using issue-based approaches, which can be shown below. Lee [9] cited in his study that there is a great diversity of socio-scientific issues, more work still needs to be done at the classroom level to identify evidence-based pedagogic practices which can enhance a students’ decision-making ability. An issue-based approach could be used to guide students towards informed decision-making, by promoting their conceptual understanding, understanding of scientific inquiry, attitudes, values, and their ability to engage in rational arguments. Lee and Grace [10] stated that a decision making framework adapted from the literature was designed to help students tackle the issue from multiple perspectives with due consideration given to relevant scientific knowledge, rational argumentation, and the values underlying the possible options. Grace [5] suggests that biodiversity conservation is an important socio-scientific issue that is often regarded as a precondition to sustainable development. The foundation for citizens’ understanding of conservation issues can be laid down in formal school education. It can focus on decision-making discussions about biological conservation issues among 15–16-year-old students. Findings indicate the positive value of students taking part in these short decision-making discussions guided by a structured framework and as part of their normal science classroom activities. Students increase their quality of personal reasoning, and modify their solutions to the issues. These issues provide students with a context that encourages active reflection and examination of relevant connections among science, their own lives and the quality of life in their community [23]. Most students relied upon multiple perspectives when making their decisions. It was found that when students used multiple viewpoints, the perspectives were unequally valued, generally relying more on ethical perspectives [6]. Walpuski et al [20] found that decision-making and argumentation are competences concerning decision-making and are highly dependent on how frequently students are given the chance to debate in science classes. The enhancing decision making of students could be implemented in conventional classroom by assigning the decision making framework to the students. This could develop informed decision making based on brain-storming and provide multiple perspectives with peer group by promoting their conceptual understanding, realization of scientific inquiry, attitudes and values, and their ability to engage in rational argumentation. At present, the management of knowledge derived from issues concerning science and society are considered important in the study of science, making learners realize that their learning is meaningful in relation to their lives. Socio-scientific issues are applied in generating an interest in argument-based learning among learners and a discussion based on scientific knowledge and data [14]; it serves as the best means in stimulating learners to develop skills in using a reason and making a decision in concern with socio-scientific decision making. A current reformation of the study of science tends to support the scientific advancement toward establishing morality and ethics in a scientific dimension, instead of teaching solely a science-based content, diversifying teaching based on learning techniques and scientific concepts, philosophy, history, society, values and ethics. The use of socio-scientific issues responds to these scientific needs [21]. The use of scientific knowledge before applying it to other situations in concern with social and moral context stimulates learners to find truth, opening their mind to the opinions of others and being able to negotiate carefully and systematically based on their rationale. Moreover, it promotes the quality of citizenry and social consciousness [23].