High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes

Several studies have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetics. However, few have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetic engineering, especially in the context of Lesotho. This study sought to find the common misconceptions learners hold about genetic engineering and their possible causes...

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Main Authors: Nthatisi Puputla, Doreen Taurai Tshuma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Institute of Research and Community Services, Universitas Terbuka 2025-05-01
Series:International Journal of Research in STEM Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jurnal-fkip.ut.ac.id/index.php/ijrse/article/view/1769
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author Nthatisi Puputla
Doreen Taurai Tshuma
author_facet Nthatisi Puputla
Doreen Taurai Tshuma
author_sort Nthatisi Puputla
collection DOAJ
description Several studies have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetics. However, few have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetic engineering, especially in the context of Lesotho. This study sought to find the common misconceptions learners hold about genetic engineering and their possible causes. The study employed qualitative case study in which convenience sampling was used to identify the participating school and class. A class of thirty-four learners and their teacher, participated. Data were gathered using observations, pre-test, post-test, and semi-structured interviews. Thematic approach was used to analyse and present data. The findings revealed that learners held misconceptions regarding the gene concept, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concept as well as language misconceptions pertaining to the process of isolation. The possible causes of learners’ misconceptions were identified as vast and unfamiliar scientific terminology, lack of teaching/learning resources, inadequate learners’ biology textbooks and teachers’ incompetence in genetic engineering content and the use of ineffective teaching strategies.
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publisher The Institute of Research and Community Services, Universitas Terbuka
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spelling doaj-art-e0883680b8f44d0b9b845d790bc4d18b2025-08-20T02:31:56ZengThe Institute of Research and Community Services, Universitas TerbukaInternational Journal of Research in STEM Education2721-32422721-29042025-05-017110.33830/ijrse.v7i1.1769High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible CausesNthatisi Puputla0Doreen Taurai Tshuma1Department of Science Education, National University of LesothoDepartment of Science Education, National University of Lesotho Several studies have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetics. However, few have explored learners’ misconceptions in genetic engineering, especially in the context of Lesotho. This study sought to find the common misconceptions learners hold about genetic engineering and their possible causes. The study employed qualitative case study in which convenience sampling was used to identify the participating school and class. A class of thirty-four learners and their teacher, participated. Data were gathered using observations, pre-test, post-test, and semi-structured interviews. Thematic approach was used to analyse and present data. The findings revealed that learners held misconceptions regarding the gene concept, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concept as well as language misconceptions pertaining to the process of isolation. The possible causes of learners’ misconceptions were identified as vast and unfamiliar scientific terminology, lack of teaching/learning resources, inadequate learners’ biology textbooks and teachers’ incompetence in genetic engineering content and the use of ineffective teaching strategies. https://jurnal-fkip.ut.ac.id/index.php/ijrse/article/view/1769LearnersMisconceptionsGenetic EngineeringScience Education
spellingShingle Nthatisi Puputla
Doreen Taurai Tshuma
High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
International Journal of Research in STEM Education
Learners
Misconceptions
Genetic Engineering
Science Education
title High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
title_full High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
title_fullStr High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
title_full_unstemmed High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
title_short High School Learners’ Misconceptions in Genetic Engineering and their Possible Causes
title_sort high school learners misconceptions in genetic engineering and their possible causes
topic Learners
Misconceptions
Genetic Engineering
Science Education
url https://jurnal-fkip.ut.ac.id/index.php/ijrse/article/view/1769
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