Attitudinal Decline toward School Science: A Focus Group Approach with Japanese Undergraduate Students

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Attitudinal Decline toward School Science: A Focus Group Approach with Japanese Undergraduate Students
Language: English
Authors: Naganuma, Shotaro (ORCID 0000-0002-0665-2179)
Source: International Journal of Science Education. 2023 45(13):1053-1073.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Science Education, Student Attitudes, Attitude Change, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Elementary Secondary Education, Teaching Methods, Negative Attitudes, Age Differences, Influences, Barriers
Geographic Terms: Japan
DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2023.2183099
ISSN: 0950-0693
1464-5289
Abstract: Despite efforts to make school science appealing, students' negative attitude toward it persists globally. This qualitative study elucidates how and why undergraduate students in Japan had declining attitudes toward school science during primary and secondary school. Twenty-two first- and second-year students at a Japanese national university participated in small focus group discussions. Data sources were the participants' focus group data and written accounts on factors that influenced their attitudes toward school science. The grounded theory approach was applied to code the data, which resulted in 42 codes under 11 domains. As the analysis progressed from lower to higher grades, the domains diversified and the frequency of codes increased. The resulting hypothetical model comprising 10 code domains reveals the complex interrelationships that cause attitudinal decline toward school science. 'Understanding' is positioned at the centre of the model, thus indicating the importance of cognitive aspects when considering this affective issue. The findings indicate that the development of two teaching methods is urgent: a mathematics-centric approach and innovative hands-on learning.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1397784
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Despite efforts to make school science appealing, students' negative attitude toward it persists globally. This qualitative study elucidates how and why undergraduate students in Japan had declining attitudes toward school science during primary and secondary school. Twenty-two first- and second-year students at a Japanese national university participated in small focus group discussions. Data sources were the participants' focus group data and written accounts on factors that influenced their attitudes toward school science. The grounded theory approach was applied to code the data, which resulted in 42 codes under 11 domains. As the analysis progressed from lower to higher grades, the domains diversified and the frequency of codes increased. The resulting hypothetical model comprising 10 code domains reveals the complex interrelationships that cause attitudinal decline toward school science. 'Understanding' is positioned at the centre of the model, thus indicating the importance of cognitive aspects when considering this affective issue. The findings indicate that the development of two teaching methods is urgent: a mathematics-centric approach and innovative hands-on learning.
ISSN:0950-0693
1464-5289
DOI:10.1080/09500693.2023.2183099