Diagnosis misconceptions of junior high school in Lamongan on the heat concept using the three-tier test

Abstract

Abstract Misunderstanding is one of the causes of junior high school students in the city of Lamongan learning difficulties, especially studying physics material. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the three-tier test able to identify student misconceptions. Based on the research objectives to be achieved, this research is a descriptive study using descriptive qualitative methods in explaining the research results. The technique of collecting data through tests is by using a Three-Tier Test diagnostic instrument and open interview. Diagnostic results data are expressed in terms of percentage of the students’ conception categories. The sample of this research is the students who have received the Heat material, seventh graders. The subjects of this study were grade VII students totaling 150 students with details of 60 male students and 90 female students with age around 12 to 13 years old. Besides using written tests, interviews were conducted on several students to verify the results of the three-tier test. From the analysis of three-tier test diagnostic data students showed that from 47% including the criteria to master the concept, while the remaining 38% experienced misconceptions, 5% guess or not believe in the answers, and 10% don’t know the concept. Conclusions of this study is the three-tier test that has been developed on Heat topic is able to identify misconceptions students quickly and accurately. Therefore, a three-level diagnostic test tool that has been developed to diagnose students ‘misconceptions about temperature and heat materials can identify students’ misconceptions quickly and accurately.