Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers

This study examines prevalent misconceptions among students regarding the fundamental concepts of acids and bases, which often arise during the learning process. This study aims to pinpoint misconceptions held by pre-service science teachers in the realm of acids and bases; 117 university students f...

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Published in:Journal of Education and Learning
Main Author: Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama 2025
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202917946&doi=10.11591%2fedulearn.v19i1.21803&partnerID=40&md5=b863be7b3bf5445eda9bb5d8cefbed29
id 2-s2.0-85202917946
spelling 2-s2.0-85202917946
Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
2025
Journal of Education and Learning
19
1
10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21803
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202917946&doi=10.11591%2fedulearn.v19i1.21803&partnerID=40&md5=b863be7b3bf5445eda9bb5d8cefbed29
This study examines prevalent misconceptions among students regarding the fundamental concepts of acids and bases, which often arise during the learning process. This study aims to pinpoint misconceptions held by pre-service science teachers in the realm of acids and bases; 117 university students from diverse educational backgrounds, enrolled in three distinct courses: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from the Faculty of Education, participated in the study. Using a structured questionnaire, the research identified 11 misconceptions out of 26 items related to acid and base concepts among pre-service teachers, while 15 items showed a correct understanding. Notably, three misconceptions exhibit the highest prevalence, namely the universal indicator of strong alkali (71.7%), the calculation-related concentration of acids and bases (69.3%), and the procedural steps for preparing a solution with a specified concentration using the dilution method (65.8%). The analysis indicates that although pre-service teachers generally understand acid and base concepts well, some misconceptions persist. Additionally, correlations between gender, university major, and understanding of these concepts were found. Further global research is recommended to identify misconceptions among university students. Comprehensive research in Malaysia could help educators and students address these misconceptions in Chemistry education. © 2025, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama
20899823
English
Article

author Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
spellingShingle Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
author_facet Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
author_sort Shaafi N.F.; Yusof M.M.M.; Ellianawati E.; Subali B.; Raji’e M.H.H.
title Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
title_short Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
title_full Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
title_fullStr Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
title_full_unstemmed Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
title_sort Investigating misconceptions about acids and bases among pre-service science teachers
publishDate 2025
container_title Journal of Education and Learning
container_volume 19
container_issue 1
doi_str_mv 10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21803
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85202917946&doi=10.11591%2fedulearn.v19i1.21803&partnerID=40&md5=b863be7b3bf5445eda9bb5d8cefbed29
description This study examines prevalent misconceptions among students regarding the fundamental concepts of acids and bases, which often arise during the learning process. This study aims to pinpoint misconceptions held by pre-service science teachers in the realm of acids and bases; 117 university students from diverse educational backgrounds, enrolled in three distinct courses: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from the Faculty of Education, participated in the study. Using a structured questionnaire, the research identified 11 misconceptions out of 26 items related to acid and base concepts among pre-service teachers, while 15 items showed a correct understanding. Notably, three misconceptions exhibit the highest prevalence, namely the universal indicator of strong alkali (71.7%), the calculation-related concentration of acids and bases (69.3%), and the procedural steps for preparing a solution with a specified concentration using the dilution method (65.8%). The analysis indicates that although pre-service teachers generally understand acid and base concepts well, some misconceptions persist. Additionally, correlations between gender, university major, and understanding of these concepts were found. Further global research is recommended to identify misconceptions among university students. Comprehensive research in Malaysia could help educators and students address these misconceptions in Chemistry education. © 2025, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
publisher Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama
issn 20899823
language English
format Article
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