5/2019 vol. 15
Stats
CC-BY 4.0
Get citation
RESEARCH PAPER
The Perception of Biology by Czech Lower Secondary School Students
Jana Vlckova 1
,
 
Milan Kubiatko 2
,
 
Muhammet Usak 3
 
 
 
More details
Hide details
1
Masaryk University, Faculty of Education, Department of Education, Porici 31, 603 00 Brno, CZECH REPUBLIC
 
2
University of Zilina, Faculty of Humanities, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina, SLOVAKIA
 
3
Kazan Federal University, Kazan, RUSSIA
 
 
Online publication date: 2019-03-25
 
 
Publication date: 2019-03-25
 
 
Corresponding author
Milan Kubiatko   

University of Zilina, Faculty of Humanities, Univerzitna 1, 01026 Zilina, SLOVAKIA
 
 
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2019;15(5):em1714
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/105277
 
 
Article (PDF)
References (39)
 
KEYWORDS
questionnaire
attitudes
biology
lower secondary school students
 
TOPICS
Science Education
 
ABSTRACT
Attitudes toward science are more frequently explored than attitudes toward particular science subjects, such as biology. In many countries, however, biology is taught separately from other science subjects. The main aim of this investigation was to detect students’ attitudes towards biology, by using a questionnaire as a research tool. Moreover, the partial aims were revelation of influence of gender, residence and grade level on the students’ attitudes towards biology. The sample size was created by 363 students from lower secondary schools. The questionnaire (BAQ) consisted of 31 items of Likert type, divided into four dimensions (1. Biology as a school subject; 2. Informal education; 3. Difficulty and 4. Interest in Biology). In addition, the influence of independent variables was observed in the four dimensions mentioned above. Furthermore, the correlation among dimensions was analyzed as well. Overall score in attitudes toward biology gained by lower secondary school students was neutral. Girls had more positive attitudes toward biology than boys. Mean score according to classes was decreasing with raising of grade level, but without statistically significant effect. More positive attitudes toward biology were revealed among rural students.
REFERENCES (39)
1.
Aktamis, H., Higde, E., & Ozden, B. (2016). Effects of the inquiry-based learning method on students’ achievement, science process skills and attitudes towards science: A meta-analysis science. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 13(4), 248-261.
Google Scholar
 
 
2.
Babu, R., & Govindharajan, G. (2014). Students’ attitude towards the study of biology in relation to their study habits. International Journal of Teacher Educational Research, 3(3), 47-52.
Google Scholar
 
 
3.
Baker, D., & Leary, R. (1995). Letting girls speak out about science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 32(1), 3-27. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.36....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
4.
Cipkova, E., Karolcik, S., Dudova, N., & Nagyova, S. (2018). What is the students’ interest in biology after the biology curriculum modification? The Curriculum Journal, 29(3), 370-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/095851....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
5.
Connell, G. L., Donovan, D. A., & Chambers, T. G. (2016). Increasing the use of student-centered pedagogies from moderate to high improves student learning and attitudes about biology. CBE Life Sciences Education, 15(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.15....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
6.
Ekici, G., & Hevedanli, M. (2010). Analyzing high school students’ attitudes towards biology course in different variables. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 7(4), 97-109.
Google Scholar
 
 
7.
Gardner, G. E., Bonner, J., Landin, J., Ferzli, M., & Shea, D. (2016). Nonmajors’ shifts in attitudes & perceptions of biology & biologists following an active-learning course: An exploratory study. The American Biology Teacher, 78(1), 43-48. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.20....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
8.
Hansen, M. J., & Birol, G. (2014). Longitudinal study of student attitudes in a biology program. CBE Life Sciences Education, 13(2), 331-337. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.13....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
9.
Henriksen, E. K., Jensen, F., & Sjaastad, J. (2015). The role of out-of-school experiences and targeted recruitment efforts in Norwegian science and technology Students’ educational choice. International Journal of Science Education, 5(3), 203-222.
Google Scholar
 
 
10.
Hussaini, I., Foong, L. M., & Kamar, Y (2015). Attitudes of secondary school students towards biology as a school subject in Birnin kebbi Metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Research & Review, 2(10), 596-600.
Google Scholar
 
 
11.
Christidou, V. (2011). Interest, attitudes and images related to science: Combining students’ voices with the voices of school Science, teachers, and popular science. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 6(2), 141-159.
Google Scholar
 
 
12.
Ihuoma, I. M. (2017). A comparative study of urban and rural students’ attitude to chemistry at introductory level in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research and Studies, 4(7), 165-170.
Google Scholar
 
 
13.
Jones, M. G., Howe, A., & Rua, M. J. (2000). Gender differences in students’ experiences, interests, and attitudes toward science and scientists. Science Education, 84(2), 180-192. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)...<180::AID-SCE3>3.0.CO;2-X.
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
14.
Kara, Y., & Yeksilyurt, S. (2008). Comparing the impacts of tutorial and edutainment software programs on students’ achievements, misconceptions, and attitudes towards biology. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 17(1), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
15.
Lin, P. Y., & Schunn, C. D. (2016). The dimensions and impact of informal science learning experiences on middle schoolers’ attitudes and abilities in science. International Journal of Science Education, 38(17), 2551-2572. https://doi.org/10.1080/095006....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
16.
Movahedzadeh, F. (2011). Improving students’ attitude toward science through blended learning. Science Education & Civic Engagement -An International Journal, 3(2), 13-19¬.
Google Scholar
 
 
17.
Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Google Scholar
 
 
18.
Orazem, V., & Tomazic, I. (2018). The vocational upper secondary schools students’ knowledge and their attitudes toward wolves. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 17(6), 918-934. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
19.
Partin, M. L. et al. (2011). Yes I Can: The contributions of motivation and attitudes on course performance among biology nonmajors. Journal of College Science Teaching, 40(6), 86-95.
Google Scholar
 
 
20.
Partin, M. L., & Haney, J. J. (2012). The CLEM model: Path analysis of the mediating effects of attitudes and motivational beliefs on the relationship between perceived learning environment and course performance in an undergraduate non-major biology course. Learning Environments Research, 15(1), 103-123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
21.
Prokop, P., Prokop, M., & Tunnicliffe, S. D. (2007). Is biology boring? Student attitudes toward biology. Journal of Biological Education, 42(1), 36-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/002192....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
22.
Prokop, P., Tuncer, G., & Chuda, J. (2007). Slovakian students’ attitudes toward biology. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 3(4), 287-295. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmst....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
23.
Rogers, W. D., & Ford, R. (1997). Factors that affect student attitude toward biology. Bioscene. Journal of College Biology Teaching, 23(2), 3-6.
Google Scholar
 
 
24.
Sadler, T. D. (2009). Situated learning in science education: socio‐scientific issues as contexts for practice. Studies in Science Education, 45(1), 1-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/030572....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
25.
Stuckey, M., Hofstein, A., Mamlok-Naaman, R., & Eilks, I. (2013). The meaning of ‘relevance’ in science education and its implications for the science curriculum. Studies in Science Education, 49(1), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/030572....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
26.
Taraban, R., Box, C., Myers, R., Pollard, R., & Bowen, C. W. (2007). Effects of active-learning experiences on achievement, attitudes, and behaviors in high school biology. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44(7), 960-979. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
27.
Tessier, J. (2010). An inquiry-based biology laboratory improves preservice elementary teachers’ attitudes about science. Journal of College Science Teaching, 39(6), 84-90.
Google Scholar
 
 
28.
Tomazic, I., & Sorgo, A. (2017). Factors affecting students’ attitudes toward toads. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education, 13(6), 2505-2528. https://doi.org/10.12973/euras....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
29.
Torkar, G., Mohar, P., Gregorc, T., Nekrep, I., & Adamic, M. H. (2010). The conservation knowledge and attitudes of teenagers in Slovenia toward the Eurasian Otter. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 5(3), 341-352.
Google Scholar
 
 
30.
Trumper, R. (2006). Factors affecting junior high school students’ interest in biology. Science Education International, 17(1), 31-48.
Google Scholar
 
 
31.
Uitto, A. (2014). Interest, attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs explaining upper-secondary school students’ orientation towards biology-related careers. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 12(6), 1425-1444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
32.
Usak, M., Erdogan, M., Prokop, P., & Ozel, M. (2009a). High school and university students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 37(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.20....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
33.
Usak, M., Prokop, P., Mustafa, O., Ozel, M., Bilen, K., & Erdogan, M. (2009b). Turkish university students’ attitudes toward biology: the effects of gender and enrolment in biology classes. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 8(2), 88-96.
Google Scholar
 
 
34.
Velicer, W. F., & Fava, J. L. (1998). Effects of variable and subject sampling on factor pattern recovery. Psychological Methods, 3(2), 231-251. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-9....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
35.
Veloo, A., Perumal, S., & Vikneswary, R. (2013). Inquiry-based instruction, students’ attitudes and teachers’ support towards science achievement in rural primary schools. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 65-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsp....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
36.
Weng, F., Ho, H.-J., Yang, R.-J., & Weng, C.-H. (2019). The influence of learning style on learning attitude with multimedia teaching materials. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education, 15(1), 1-9.
Google Scholar
 
 
37.
Yoon, S. A., Elinich, K., Wang, J., van Schooneveld, J. B., & Anderson, E. (2013). Scaffolding informal learning in science museums: How much is too much? Science Education, 97(6), 848-877. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
38.
Zeidan, A. H. (2010). The relationship between grade 11 Palestinian attitudes toward biology and their perceptions of the biology learning environment. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 8(5), 783-800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763....
CrossRef
 
Google Scholar
 
 
39.
Zeidan, A. H., & Jayoshi, M. D. (2015). Science process skills and attitudes toward science among Palestinian secondary school students. World Journal of Education, 5(1), 13-24.
Google Scholar
 
 
Share
Send by email
RELATED ARTICLE
Determination of student’s perception during biology online learning at COVID-19 crisis
Learn biology using digital game-based learning: A systematic literature review
Design and validation of an instrument to determine the relationship between pedagogical content knowledge and practical work in science instruction
Validating of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Questionnaire for Prevention of COVID-19 infections among Undergraduate Students: A RASCH and Factor Analysis
Relationships between Knowledge, Attitudes and Interests of Spanish Pre-university Students in Relation to Different Areas of Biotechnology
Indexes
 
Keywords index
Topics index
Authors index
eISSN:1305-8223
ISSN:1305-8215
Journals System - logo
© 2006-2024 Journal hosting platform by Bentus
Scroll to top