The study of science is an essential factor to any
student’s life. Furthermore, the advancement of
science serves as a factor in generating rapid
changes. Learners in modern days, therefore, have to
be equipped with rational thought and the ability to
make a decision based on data obtained by
information technology. They should also be
concerned with the world and with citizenry based
upon the 21st century skills. The reformation of
science these days is, therefore, in support of
scientific literacy [17]. This includes the
understanding of the nature of science, appropriate
application of scientific concepts, and
implementation of scientific process in solving a
problem and in decision making. The goal of science educational reform is based
on the nature of the science and also thinking in
science classroom. School still remains virtually
irrelevant in daily life failing to stimulate learners to
their interest and to connect them with their lives. In
emphasis of knowledge, students need to have many
more skills before entering the labor market or
industrial society. Students were not equipped with
effective thinking skills in solving a problem and
also in decision making regarding socio-scientific
issues in an appropriate manner. Especially
democratic education, people should have been
granted freedom of expression.
Socio-scientific issues (SSI) are known to be a
product of knowledge and technology under public
discussion and criticism, whether they are suitable or
not in society. Examples include conflicts in nature
and public market, social and political implications
or even problems concerning health, general living
conditions, limited energy supply and economic
growth in contrast to environmental conservation
among others [16]. It is taken into consideration in
the context of socially responsible science teaching
encouraging the student’s decision based on moral
reasoning and a widening scope of scientific literacy
[22].
Issues concerning a connection between science
and society are new to schools and science courses.
A number of teachers and educational administrators
still haven’t realized the importance in bringing such
issues into applying in related courses. Teaching was
specially based on the content alone. In effect,
students became deprived of thinking skills and the
usage of knowledge in science beyond their school.
They also lacked of skill in decision making and in
working in groups. These skills are generally known
as essential in a successful work environment [15].
Teachers failed to give students a chance to discuss
and debate before making a decision. They did not
pay attention to promote the morality essential to life
among students. They have not been developed in
terms of potential in socio-scientific decision making
[16]. Furthermore, the knowledge of science had
never been applied in decision making process.
Decision making based on socio-scientific issues
(SSI) refers to one of the four goals for school
science under National Science Education Standards
[12]. Socio-scientific decision making serves as a
solution based on the learner’s choice and study of
data analysis of which concerns the stakeholders.
The factors would be considered in search of
possible choices before finding the right choice and
making a decision based on scientific knowledge,
conceptual understanding, the nature of scientific
inquiry, value clarification, and argumentation [11].
Socio-scientific decision making needs a
International Journal for Cross-Disciplinary Subjects in Education (IJCDSE), Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2014 Copyright © 2014, Infonomics Society 1777
standardization and acceptance based on justice and
human rights. Those with potential in considering
socio-scientific decisions are in need of considering
possible impacts on morality as well[13]. Moral and
ethical dimensions are to be a stand point in
discussing socio-scientific issues [22].
The aim of this study is to investigate socioscientific
decision making, reported in the literature
about socio-scientific decision making concepts.
In this context, the following questions were asked:
1. What are the decision making frameworks?
2. What are the methods of analysis?
3. What are the data collection techniques?
4. What kinds of implications have been
suggested in the studies?