Development and Test of an Abductive Reasoning Ethics Module for Forensic Science Majors

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: Semiotics in Education: Signs, Meanings, and Multimodality SIG Roundtable Session

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of an online ethical reasoning learning system for forensic science students. The foundation of the program is based on Peirce’s three types of reasoning, abductive, inductive, and deductive, along with Shank and Cunningham’s (1996) six modes of abduction. In addition, content related to semiosis, other learning models, ethical model, are integrated in the system. The system includes text material, scenarios, video clips from popular movies and television shows, and shows specific to forensics. Results indicate that students met the objectives of the module on defining abductive reasoning and being able to identify Peirce’s three modes of reasoning from text and in video clips.

Authors

• Lyndsie Ferrara, Duquesne University

• James B. Schreiber, Duquesne University