Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Award Date
2017
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department / School
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Matthew Miller
Keywords
attitudes toward chemistry, intermolecular forces, knowledge transfer, prior knowledge, recollection, undergraduate students
Abstract
Certain foundational concepts, including acid-base theory, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces (IMFs), appear throughout the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The level of understanding of these foundational concepts influences the ability of students to recognize the relationships between sub-disciplines in chemistry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student attitudes towards chemistry and their abilities to recollect and transfer knowledge of IMFs, a foundational concept, to their daily lives as well as to other classes. Data were collected using surveys, interviews and classroom observations, and analyzed using qualitative methods. The data show that while most students were able to function at lower levels of thinking by providing a definition of IMFs, majority were unable to function at higher levels of thinking as evidenced by their inability to apply their knowledge of IMFs to their daily lives and other classes. The results of this study suggest a positive relationship between students’ abilities to recollect knowledge and their abilities to transfer that knowledge. The results also suggest positive relationships between recollection abilities of students and their attitudes towards chemistry as well as their transfer abilities and attitudes towards chemistry. Recommendations from this study include modifications of pedagogical techniques in ways that facilitate higher-level thinking and emphasize how chemistry applies not only to daily life, but also to other courses.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Higher)
Intermolecular forces -- Study and teaching (Higher)
College students -- Attitudes.
Science students -- Attitudes.
Knowledge management.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 212-225)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
241
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Odeleye, Oluwatobi Omobonike, "The Relationship Between Recollection, Knowledge Transfer, and Student Attitudes Towards Chemistry" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1166.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1166
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