Investigating the misconceptions of 11th grade high school students about the concepts of isomerism and naming hydrocarbons using conceptual evaluation method

Document Type : Original research

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

2 Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Chemistry Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Chemistry is one of the experimental sciences in which many students experience difficulties and develop misconceptions during learning. Therefore, identifying and addressing these misconceptions is crucial for effective chemistry education. The present study aimed to identify eleventh-grade students’ misconceptions about the concepts of isomerism and the nomenclature of hydrocarbons using a conceptual assessment approach. Materials and Methods: This study was fundamental in nature, and data were collected through a descriptive survey method. The statistical population included all eleventh-grade students in the experimental sciences and mathematics tracks in schools in Tehran and other cities of Tehran Province during the 2024–2025 academic years. The study sample consisted of 265 female students and 283 male students, selected randomly through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a diagnostic test containing eight multiple-choice questions. The validity of the test was confirmed by 15 chemistry professors and teachers, and the reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.84). Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Findings: It is recommended that the content related to isomerism and hydrocarbon nomenclature in the 11th-grade chemistry textbook, as well as teachers’ instructional methods, be reviewed carefully and with special attention. Conclusion: The results showed that 16.9% and 11.9% of eleventh-grade students held misconceptions about the concepts of isomerism and hydrocarbon nomenclature, respectively. The most common misconceptions in isomerism were related to identifying isomerism in functional groups, while in hydrocarbon nomenclature they were associated with recognizing the main carbon chain. The findings also indicated no significant difference between male and female students in terms of their average misconceptions regarding these concepts.

Keywords

References

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