Özet:

This study aimed to scrutinize differing theoretical frameworks on scientific explanation. In the present study, from the perspectives of such models as Deductive-nomological explanation model, Statistical/probabilistic explanation model, Causal model, Pragmatics model and Evidence-based model, a definition for scientific explanation is sought. The results indicated that when the attributed definitions were compared, it was realized that they were quite different and, in divergent fields of science, the explanations are made in different ways. This finding implied that one general universal definition could not be offered for scientific explanation. Explaining, for instance, the reason for the expansion of a piece of iron dipped into hot water includes a chain of sentences presented in a cause and effect relation. While, explaining relief degree of a particular medicine includes a number of statistical data. This, accordingly, creates varying ways of building explanations. Furthermore, the importance of scientific explanation in educational settings and the differences between scientific explanation and argument are discussed in final part of the paper

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