Investigation of Preservice Science Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Nanotechnology According to Various Variables

Abstract

This study aims to examine the attitudes of preservice science teachers towards nanotechnology according to various variables such as gender, class level, and academic achievement. The cross-sectional survey method was employed in the study. The sample of the study consists of 199 preservice science teachers (170 females, 29 males). The used data collection tool is the Attitude Scale Towards Nanotechnology consisting of three sub-components (positive, negative, and utility). Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation scores were used in the descriptive analysis of the data, while Independent Samples t-test and ANOVA were used in the inferential analysis. According to the results, it was observed that the attitudes of preservice science teachers towards nanotechnology were at a “high” level. When the attitudes of preservice science teachers towards nanotechnology were examined according to the gender variable, it was determined that male preservice science teachers had a higher average attitude score than female preservice science teachers. When the attitudes were examined based on the class level variable, it was observed that the preservice science teachers in the 3rd year of education had the highest average attitude score, while those in the 2nd year had the lowest average attitude score. Regarding the academic achievement level variable, it was observed that the preservice science teachers with high academic achievement had a higher average attitude score than those with low academic achievement.