Publication details

Czech high school students´misconceptions about basic genetic concepts: preliminaly result

Authors

VLČKOVÁ Jana KUBIATKO Milan USAK Muhammet

Year of publication 2016
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Journal of Baltic Science Education
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Education

Citation
Field Pedagogy and education
Keywords basic genetics concepts; misconceptions; genetics learning; high school students
Description The revelation of misconceptions contributes to better education, especially when that information is described in a specific field of science. Additionally, genetics is one of very problematic topics, and misconceptions appear there frequently as there are difficult interconnections among them. The main aim of the study was to explore high school students´ misconceptions about basic genetics concepts. Moreover the influence of gender was also examined. Respondents were 102 Czech high school students of two high schools. Research tool was test containing 15 two tier questions concerning about basic genetics concepts like chromosome, DNA, allele and gene. Reliability was determined with the use of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The result of Kolmogor-Smirnov test allowed to use parametric statistical methods. The data were analysed by the using of descriptive statistical methods (mean score) and inferential statistical methods (ANOVA). Concept ‘DNA’ was determined as the most problematic one for students, contrarily concept ‘allele’ was the simplest one. It was found that high school students do not understand selected basic genetic concepts. In addition, students do not interconnect genetic concepts within one complex system of knowledge, they also do not realise structure and hierarchy of these concepts.
Related projects:

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.

More info