Gifted Students' Views and Argument Structures on a Socio-Scientific Issue: Cloning

The aim of this study is to determine the evaluations of eighth grade gifted students towards cloning and to examine the argument structures formed by gifted students. The study was carried out using a case study design, which is one of the qualitative research method designs. The study group of the research consists of 24 gifted students studying at a Science and Art Center (SAC) in Turkey in the 2019-2020 academic years. Thirteen of these students were girls and eleven were boys. The data of the research were obtained from the answers given to the questions asked within the scope of the bulletin and scenario related to cloning developed by the researchers. The qualitative data collected in the research were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Based on the students' views, the importance of cloning, positive and negative aspects of cloning and the branches of science which are related to cloning were determined in the study In addition, it was seen that gifted students formed generally moderate and high-level arguments related to cloning. Findings obtained as a result of the research were compared with the related literature and discussed. Finally, suggestions were made for teachers, researchers and program developers.