Background: Recognizing the relatively few studies that have explored university students' understanding and alternative conceptions in linear and circular motion as well as the relatively few studies that have used 2-dimensional multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in the science education literature, this study set out to contribute to these areas.…

Previous research has shown that students employ intuitive thinking when understanding scientific concepts. Three types of intuitive thinking--essentialist, teleological, and anthropic thinking--are used in biology learning and can lead to misconceptions. However, it is unknown how commonly these types of intuitive thinking, or cognitive…

There is extensive literature focusing on students' misconceptions in various subject domains. Several conceptual change approaches have been trying to understand how conceptual change occurs to help learners handle these misconceptions. This meta-analysis aims to integrate studies investigating the effectiveness of three types of conceptual…

Genetic variation is historically challenging for undergraduate students to master, potentially due to its grounding in both evolution and genetics. Traditionally, student expertise in genetic variation has been evaluated using Key Concepts. However, Cognitive Construals may add to a more nuanced picture of students' developing expertise. Here, we…

Data reported from memory can be unreliable. A simple activity lets students experience this firsthand.

Contemporary secondary science education is characterised by a greater inclination towards the constructivist paradigm of education and the development of inquiry-oriented teaching. The basic principle of this paradigm is the dynamic modification of preconceptions towards the desired level given by the school curriculum. This places particular…

The importance of genetic diversity, especially within small populations of endangered species, is becoming increasingly apparent. Genetic engineering techniques that could potentially enhance diversity are now being developed. However, the use of such techniques would require social licence and yet within the general population there is limited…

Textbooks are essential learning resources for both teachers and students, but they often contain misconceptions that can affect students' understanding of key concepts, particularly in biology. Misconceptions can arise from inaccurate or incomplete information, and they may lead to incorrect conceptual understanding. The clarity and accuracy of…

Despite considerable progress made in educational neuroscience, neuromyths persist in the teaching profession, hampering translational endeavors. The initial wave of interventions designed to dispel educational neuromyths was predominantly directed at preservice teachers. More recent work in the field, reviewed here, has shifted its focus…

This study examines prevalent misconceptions among students regarding the fundamental concepts of acids and bases, which often arise during the learning process. This study aims to pinpoint misconceptions held by preservice science teachers in the realm of acids and bases; 117 university students from diverse educational backgrounds, enrolled in…

In this work extensive misconceptions of university students'--from nutrition area--about the metabolism of carbohydrates (CHM) in the human organism have been documented. The results lead to consider their difficulties concerning the learning of a complex set of imbricated biochemical models involved. Pursuant to these considerations, three…

Resonance is a fundamental chemistry concept first introduced to students in General Chemistry I, reintroduced in Organic Chemistry I, and then utilized throughout other higher-level chemistry courses. A molecule or ion can be said to exhibit resonance when it can be represented by two or more chemical structures (i.e., Lewis structures) that…

This study aims to investigate the effect of the teaching model developed for hot conceptual change on middle school 7th-grade students' understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS) aspects. In this qualitative and exploratory study, activities were carried out with 24 students of two classes in a village school in the South Marmara region using a…

An important topic of study in secondary mathematics is non-linear functions, including quadratic equations. In this study, findings from 25 Year 11 students indicated that difficulties with critical prerequisite concepts such as algebraic conventions impeded students' success in understanding and working with quadratics. Analysis of student…

This study investigates the challenges faced by second-year undergraduate engineering students in understanding Stokes' theorem in vector calculus, focusing on the misconceptions found in interconnected concepts that form its foundation. Stokes' theorem involves the application of line integrals, surface integrals, the curl of a vector field, and…