DOMAIN-DIFFERENTIATED RESEARCHER REPRESENTATIONS AND FUTURE OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF SCIENCE-GIFTED STUDENTS
| Title | DOMAIN-DIFFERENTIATED RESEARCHER REPRESENTATIONS AND FUTURE OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF SCIENCE-GIFTED STUDENTS |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2026 |
| Authors | Hwang, H, Park, J, Park, E, Chung, D-H, Koo, J, Lee, J-K |
| Journal | Journal of Baltic Science Education |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Start Page | 870-883 |
| Pagination | Continuous |
| Date Published | October / 2026 |
| Type of Article | Original article |
| ISSN | 1648-3898 |
| Other Numbers | E-ISSN 2538-7138 |
| Keywords | domain differentiation, Draw-A-Scientist Test, gifted science education, occupational aspirations, researcher representations, science-gifted students |
| Abstract | The Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) has repeatedly shown that students hold a single, stereotyped image of the scientist, a middle-aged white man in a lab coat working alone indoors. This study asked whether that singular image holds when science-gifted students are prompted to draw an expert in their own field and when their drawings are considered alongside their envisioned occupational futures. A total of 128 science-gifted students (grades 6–8; 98 boys, 30 girls) from nine specialization tracks at a university-affiliated science-gifted education institute completed a modified DAST, asking them to draw a researcher from their own field showing "where, with what tools, and doing what," together with open-response items on their hoped-for occupation and future aspirations. Drawings were coded using a developmentally and domain-adapted three-layer scheme (classic stereotype markers; figure representation; domain-specific practice), and future-self-related responses were coded for occupational science linkage, aspiration orientation, and learning needs. Classic stereotype indicators were rare, while domain-related research practices were represented. Researcher representations also differed across specialization domains, particularly in research activities. Most students named a STEM-related future occupation, and their aspirations focused on social contribution and the pursuit of knowledge. Researcher representations and envisioned occupational futures showed partial alignment at the domain level. |
| DOI | 10.33225/jbse/26.25.870 |
| Refereed Designation | Refereed |
| Full Text |