Abstract:

Argumentation is a process that uses evidence, data, and reasoning. In the literature, it is noted that research on secondary school students' argumentation level in social studies course is quite limited. This research is aimed at determining the argumentation levels of students from 5th-7th grade using the content of the social studies course. This research was carried out with qualitative research method and structured interview technique was used in the research. Phenomenology model was used in examining study groups, consisting of 181 students in two secondary schools in Diyarbakir, Turkey, in the 2021-2022 academic year. The study group of the research was determined on a voluntary basis by simple random sampling method. The researcher's argumentation level determination form was employed as a data gathering method in the study. The data in the research form were analyzed by descriptive analysis. According to the findings of the research, the general argumentation levels of 5th-7th grade students are partially sufficient. While the class with the most sufficient argumentation level is the seventh grade, the most inadequate is the fifth grade. While the class with the most sufficiency in the claim component is the sixth grade, the class with the most sufficiency in the data, justification, qualifier, supporting and rebuttal components is the seventh grade. In this respect, it is recommended to carry out activities and argumentation-based activities aimed at increasing and improving the argumentation levels of 5th-7th grade students in the social studies course.

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