Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students
Challenges to evolution education are widely discussed in the academic literature. Four decades of research have revealed a surprisingly high prevalence of misconceptions about evolution among students at all levels. Considering the relevance of this theme, this paper aims to compare the presence of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Investigações em Ensino de Ciências |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.if.ufrgs.br/cref/ojs/index.php/ienci/article/view/1837 |
| _version_ | 1818173033863446528 |
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| author | Leonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo |
| author_facet | Leonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo |
| author_sort | Leonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Challenges to evolution education are widely discussed in the academic literature. Four decades of research have revealed a surprisingly high prevalence of misconceptions about evolution among students at all levels. Considering the relevance of this theme, this paper aims to compare the presence of misconceptions about evolution among Brazilian biology students at different study levels: beginner and advanced undergraduate students and at the post-graduation level. A research questionnaire with statements that express misconceptions about evolution was developed and validated, being applied in two editions of an extension course attended by students from different public and private universities. 46 responses from beginner undergraduate biology students, 42 responses from advanced undergraduates, and 34 responses from post-graduate students were obtained, totaling 122 completed questionnaires. The comparative analysis indicated an average reduction in misconceptions according to the progress in the academic formation of students. Significant differences between undergraduate and graduate students were found in some items, with the post-graduation group presenting a lower frequency of misconceptions about natural selection and adaptation. However, even in these questions, there is a high percentage of agreement in all groups. Together, the data discussed here indicate the need for special attention regarding the misconceptions related to natural selection, adaptation, and interpretation of phylogenies in the education of teachers, biologists, and even graduate students. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T19:22:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5166976a8989487591bac2de134c7524 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1518-8795 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T19:22:05Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Investigações em Ensino de Ciências |
| spelling | doaj.art-5166976a8989487591bac2de134c75242022-12-22T00:53:30ZengUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulInvestigações em Ensino de Ciências1518-87952020-08-0125233234610.22600/1518-8795.ienci2020v25n2p332602Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate studentsLeonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo0Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Educação. Avenida da Universidade Butantã 05508040 - São Paulo, SP - BrasilChallenges to evolution education are widely discussed in the academic literature. Four decades of research have revealed a surprisingly high prevalence of misconceptions about evolution among students at all levels. Considering the relevance of this theme, this paper aims to compare the presence of misconceptions about evolution among Brazilian biology students at different study levels: beginner and advanced undergraduate students and at the post-graduation level. A research questionnaire with statements that express misconceptions about evolution was developed and validated, being applied in two editions of an extension course attended by students from different public and private universities. 46 responses from beginner undergraduate biology students, 42 responses from advanced undergraduates, and 34 responses from post-graduate students were obtained, totaling 122 completed questionnaires. The comparative analysis indicated an average reduction in misconceptions according to the progress in the academic formation of students. Significant differences between undergraduate and graduate students were found in some items, with the post-graduation group presenting a lower frequency of misconceptions about natural selection and adaptation. However, even in these questions, there is a high percentage of agreement in all groups. Together, the data discussed here indicate the need for special attention regarding the misconceptions related to natural selection, adaptation, and interpretation of phylogenies in the education of teachers, biologists, and even graduate students.https://www.if.ufrgs.br/cref/ojs/index.php/ienci/article/view/1837ensino de evoluçãoevolução biológicaconcepções equivocadasensino superior |
| spellingShingle | Leonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students Investigações em Ensino de Ciências ensino de evolução evolução biológica concepções equivocadas ensino superior |
| title | Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| title_full | Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| title_fullStr | Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| title_short | Misconceptions about evolution: a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| title_sort | misconceptions about evolution a comparative study between undergraduate biology majors and graduate students |
| topic | ensino de evolução evolução biológica concepções equivocadas ensino superior |
| url | https://www.if.ufrgs.br/cref/ojs/index.php/ienci/article/view/1837 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonardoaugustoluvisonaraujo misconceptionsaboutevolutionacomparativestudybetweenundergraduatebiologymajorsandgraduatestudents |