A Four-Tier Diagnostic Test to Determine Pre-Service Science Teacher’s Misconception About Solution

Abstract

In the study, a misconception diagnosis test was developed for the subject of solutions. The validity and reliability studies of the misconception diagnostic test developed by the researchers were carried out with 203 pre-service science teachers. The analyses indicate that the developed diagnostic test satisfies the validity and reliability criteria essential for identifying misconceptions within the group of pre-service science teachers concerning the topic of solution. The developed test consists of eight questions in four stages. The test showed a two-factor structure. The reliability coefficient of the test was calculated as KR-20, .704 for scientific knowledge and KR-20, .741 for misconceptions. Researchers believe that the conceptual misconception diagnosis test they have developed will serve as a guide for efforts to identify and eliminate existing misconceptions about solutions in prospective science teacher candidates. A four-stage misconception diagnostic test for the subject of solutions was not found in the literature. In this respect, the study is considered to be unique and powerful.