Science misconceptions

Blosser, P. Science misconceptions research and some implications for the teaching to elementary school students. ERIC/SMEAC Science Education (1987), 1... 

Keywords Boxer, collaboration, collaborative science, constructionism, constructivism, constructivist curriculum, constructivist educational strategies, creativity, databases, factual knowledge, graphs, kinematics, MBL tools, microcomputer-based laboratory, microcomputer-based labs, microworlds, modelling, physics, probe, science education, science misconceptions, science teaching, seismology, sensor, simulation, spreadsheets, STELLA, telecommunications, TERC, transducers... 

Although the zones of corrosion, immunity and passivity are clearly of fundamental importance in corrosion science it must be emphasised again that they have serious limitations in the solution of practical problems, and can lead to unfortunate misconceptions unless they are interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, Pourbaix and his co-workers, and others, have shown that these diagrams used in conjunction with E-i curves for the systems under consideration can provide diagrams that are of direct practical use to the corrosion engineer. It is therefore relevant to consider the advantages and limitations of the equilibrium potential-pH diagrams. 

Griffiths, A. K., Prestorr, K. R. (1992). Grade-12 students misconceptions relating to fundamental characteristics of atoms and molecules. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 29(6), 611-628. 

Tsaparlis, G. (1994). Blocking mechanisms in problem solving from the Pascual-Leone s M-space perspective. In H-J Schmidt (Ed.), Problem solving and misconceptions in chemistry and physics (pp. 211-226). Dortmund International Council of Association for Science Education. 

Ozmen, H. (2004). Some student misconceptions in chemistry. A literature review of chemical bonding. Journal of Science Education and Technology 13(2), 147-159. 

Treagust, D. (1988). Development and use of diagnostic test to evaluate students misconceptions in science. IntemationalJoumal of Science Education, 10(2), 159-169. 

Sanger, M. J., Greenbowe, T. J. (2000). Addressing student misconceptions concerning electron flow in aqueous solutions with instruction including computer animations and conceptual change strategies. International Journal of Science Education, 22(5), 521-537. 

It is a common misconception that opinions and interpretations are only offered by forensic scientists and Public Analysts. Analysts from many areas are required to provide this service, e.g. those dealing with consumer safety, geology/geochemistry, oil exploration and food science, to mention but a few. Some examples are given below. 

The independence of functional group reactivity of molecular size is contrary to the general impression that was widely held in the early years of polymer science. There was a general misconception of decreased reactivity with increased molecular size. This was due... 

It would not be fair to state that everyone in the biomedicine community agrees with all of the above conclusions, however. An article in the February 1997 issue of Scientific American ellicited a robust debate in this area. The article was entitled Animal Research is Wasteful and Misleading. Critics of the article contend that the authors skewed their analysis and included inaccuracies that could produce misconceptions and mislead, particularly, layreaders of the piece. Objections to the article can be summarized by one of its critics In no case. .. has adequate animal research led to human illness or death, as every animal study is followed by a clinical study afterwards. The statement that use of animal models has prevented illnesses and deaths by screening out toxic drugs would be truthful. More information from responsible animal-use proponents can be researched at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (http //www.aaas.org/). 

It is important for everyone concerned with gender equity to know the relevant statistics. Most people are unaware of the data. Many believe that gender equity is a problem that will take care of itself as more women enter science. A full understanding of the data will help to dispel those misconceptions. 

It is a manifestation of human weakness that a prejudice once acquired tends to be retained even in the face of overwhelming factual evidence contradicting the basis on which it was founded. In the realm of science a prejudice may be termed a misconception. 

A general-education course with no science prerequisites presents several additional challenges. Fundamental concepts in chemistry must be introduced but also interwoven within contextual societal frameworks to demonstrate the need for Green Chemistry. Additionally, instructors must confront student s misconceptions, fears and strong biases about the field of chemistry learned... 

There are many other reasons for the negative portrayal of scientists and chemists. Part of this is due to a general lack of science literacy in the public and therefore many images of scientists are distorted. Therefore, when a young person sits down and dreams about what they will do in their future careers, one of the last things they are thinking of is chemistry, mostly because they have misconceptions about what it means to be a chemist or they simply have no idea what a chemist does. 

The truth is that some fruits proposed as super really aren t, and no claims about antioxidant health benefits from fruits are actually established by science or allowed by regulatory authorities. I m going to expose some misconceptions about this expanding category of superfoods and give you a list of twenty fruits that are actually super based on nutritional facts and scientific criteria. I ll share with you how these twenty superfruits can be easily added to your diet, not just because they are delicious, but also for their nutrient properties—scientifically proved to have the potential for lowering your risk of contracting major diseases. 

In the chapter entitled "Chemical Synthesis Complexity, Similarity, Natural Kinds and the Evolution of a Logic, " Stuart Rosenfeld and Nalini Bhushan open up the field of chemical synthesis to philosophical investigation. We argue that the philosopher s conception of the science of chemistry has, in effect, blocked the development of a philosophy for the science. We expose some of these misconceptions as they play out in the area of chemical synthesis and show that, when rectified, the conceptual framework that sustains this field is ripe for philosophical scrutiny. 

Boo, H.K. Students understanding of chemical bonds and the energetics of chemical reactions. J.Research in Science Teaching 35 (1998), 569 Griffith, A.K., Preston, K.R. Grade-12 Students Misconceptions Relating to Eundamental Characteristics of Atoms and Molecules. J.Research in Science Teaching 29 (1992), 611... 

Hackling, M.W. und Garnett, P.J. Misconceptions of chemical equilibrium. European Journal of Science Education 7 (1985), 205... 

These different concepts are variously described by different researchers as misconceptions, alternative conceptions, naive beliefs, erroneous ideas, multiple private versions of science, underlying sources of error, personal models of reality, spontaneous reasoning, developing conceptions, misunderstanding, mistakes, misinterpretation of facts, personal constructs and persistent pitfalls - to name just a few [4-10]. The authors will use the term misconceptions for the simple reason that researchers refer to it more often. 

---