Students' Alternative Conceptions of Earth and Space

Abstract

A questionnaire including several possible alternative conceptions in the earth and space sciences was administered to 1,213 students in a cross-age study. Twenty common alternate conceptions are identified from distracters which were chosen at least twice as often as the least-chosen distracter for a particular question. The common alternative conceptions fall into three groups. Primary alternative conceptions are defined as those which were chosen more often than the scientifically acceptable conception. Secondary conceptions are defined as those which were chosen less often than the scientifically acceptable conception. Functional alternative conceptions are defined as those which could interfere with one's ability to function in society.Data from the study verified that the holding of alternative conceptions in the earth and space sciences is widespread. The holding of such conceptions was found to occur with great regularity in both genders, in all racial groups, among urban and suburban students, and across all five educational levels studied. Students who have taken earth science classes were found to hold slightly fewer alternative conceptions than those who have not.

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