INVESTIGATING THE NATURE OF FORMAL REASONING IN CHEMISTRY - TESTING LAWSONS MULTIPLE HYPOTHESIS THEORY

Lawson (1992) posited the multiple hypothesis theory to explain the es sence of scientific reasoning. According to this theory, the essence o f scientific reasoning is ''the ability to initiate reasoning with mor e than one antecedent condition.'' The present study tests the assumpt ions of this theory with high school students in general experience ar eas and in chemistry. The findings ate generally in support of the the ory's assumptions. This article also contains a theoretical discussion which points out how the theory needs to be extended before it can ju stifiably ''constitute the core of a viable alternative theory of reso ning.'' (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.