Misconceptions in chemistry : a comparative study of Samoa and New Zealand high schools to identify their different origins and approaches to eliminate and correct them : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

The report describes a comparative study of students' misconceptions. It does so by investigating year 13 students' conceptual understanding of the structure bonding and related properties of diamond and graphite. The aims of the case study are to elicit, identify, and compare the different origins and develop appropriate strategies to promote correct conceptual understanding of chemistry concepts. The study involved sixty students, and three chemistry teachers from two different schools; one from Palmerston North, New Zealand and the other from Apia, Samoa. Open-ended question strategy was used to elicit the students' misconceptions, followed by interview and classroom observations of a sample of students. Analyses of the responses to the open question, interviews, students' artifacts and classroom observations, revealed the origins of the students' misconceptions about the structure, bonding and related properties of diamond and graphite.