University Students’ Opinions Concerning Science-Technology-Society Issues

Abstract

Determining what students think about science, technology, and society (STS) is of great importance. This also provides the basis for scientific literacy. As such, this study was conducted with a total of 102 senior students attending a university located in western Turkey. This study utilized the survey model as a research model and the qualitative data collection method for gathering data. A questionnaire consisting of five open-ended questions was submitted to students who participated in the study. Separate categories were structured for the responses to each question. These categories were analyzed to present student-opinion profiles, and the percentages of student responses were then calculated. According to the results of this study, most students defined both the concepts of science and technology with concrete meanings. In addition, student opinions related to the significance of science and technology for society were collected under seven main categories and presented using a mind map. Separately, students were mostly of the opinion that science comes before technology. Finally, most of the students were found to see the future of science and technology as good.