• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

This study investigated the causal relationships between high school student multiple-choice algorithmic chemistry problem solving and 1) the motivational variables of achievement goal (task goal/performance goal/performance-avoidance) and perceived ability, and 2) the cognitive variables of learning strategy (deep learning/surface learning) and self-regulation. Path analysis supported a causal model in which perceived ability and task goal were found to positively influence algorithmic chemistry problem-solving ability via self-regulation. In particular it was found that perceived ability directly influenced algorithmic chemistry problem-solving ability. Moreover, deep learning was found to have been influenced by perceived ability and task goal, while surface learning was influenced by performance-avoidance goal. Lastly, there did not appear to be any causal relationship between learning strategy and algorithmic chemistry problem-solving ability.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2000

In this study, tlhe relationships of high school students' abilities to solve chemistry problems with cognitive variables (logical thinking ability, mental capacity. and learning strategy) and affective variables(self-efficacy, self-concept of ability, learning goal, and attitude toward science) were investigated. The proportion of variance due to the variables for algorithmic and conceptual problem solving ability was studied by a multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that, among the cognitive variables, the logical thinking ability significantly predicted the algorithmic problem solving ability, and the learning strategy was the best predictor of conceptual problem solving ability although not significant. Among the affective variables studied, the self-concept of alility was the significant predictor of both algorithmic and conceptual problem solving abilities. The seif-efficacy was significantly correlated with conceptual problem solving ability, but it had no predictive power.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.234-243
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• 2000

This study investigated the relationships between verbal behaviors and chemistry problem solving ability in cooperative learning. Based on the previous chemistry achievement. 11th-graders were assigned heterogeneously into three-membered groups. Small cooperative group problem solving processes in using 4 stage-problem solving strategy were audio/video taped. Students' chemistry problem solving ability was then measured by a problem solving strategy performance test. Their verbal behaviors were classified into giving information, receiving information, asking questions, and disagreeing. These were further coded into 16 subcategories. Providing, a subcategory of giving information, was the most frequent behavior. In studying partial correlation between verbal behaviors and problem solving ability, 7 categories were found to have significantly positive relationships. Providing showed the highest correlation with the problem solving ability as reported previously. Moreover, this study also revealed significant correlations in the categories of clarifying provided, correcting, justifying, and clarifying. In the case of low-ability students, the verbal behaviors of giving or receiving information were strongly correlated with problem solving ability. However, these verbal behaviors did not enhance the problem solving ability of high- and medium-ability students.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.289-298
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• 2001

The effect of the instructional approach that asked students to check their problem-solving processes through a paired think-aloud problem solving after presenting molecular-level pictures and a four stage-problem solving strategy was investigated. Four high school classes (N = 191) were randomly assigned to St group (using Strategy individually), SL group (Solver Listener), St-SL group (using Strategy-Solver Listener), and control group. Although the test scores of the St-SL group on strategy performing ability were significantly higher than those of the control group, there was not significant difference for the scores in the multiple-choice algorithmic problems. Regarding the subcategories of strategy performing ability test, students' ability of understanding given of problems and deriving the proper physical quantity was improved, but their ability of setting up subgoals and reviewing their solving process was very low. The preference to the strategy of the St-SL group was more positive than that of the St group.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.313-321
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the instructional effect of a four-stage problem solving approach visually emphasizing the molecular level of matter upon students' conceptions and problem solving ability. On the basis of the research results regarding molecular representation in learning chemistry, problem-solving instruction, and the effect of visual materials, the instructional strategy was developed while considering Korean educational situations. The treatment and control groups (2 classes) were selected from a girls' high school in Seoul and taught about stoichiometry, gas, liquid, solid, and solution for 13 weeks. For the treatment group, 52 charts were supplied in order to emphasize the molecular level of matter and/or 4 stage problem solving strategy-understanding, planning, solving, and reviewing. For the control group, traditional instruction was used. Before the instructions, the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking and the Spatial Ability Test were administered, and their scores were used as covariate and blocking variable, respectively. After the instructions, students' conceptions and problem solving ability were measured by the Chemistry Conceptions Test (CCT) and the Chemistry Problem Solving Ability Test (CPSAT), respectively. The results indicated that the CCT scores of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The students in the treatment group also exhibited less misconceptions than those in the control group. However, there was not significant difference for the CPSAT scores. No interaction with students' spatial ability was found for both students' conceptions and problem solving ability. Educational implications are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1042-1055
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the conceptual and algorithmic problem solving ability on Boyle's law and Charles's law according to cognitive levels and characteristics of students in middle school 1st grade students. For this study, questionnaire items of conceptual and algorithmic problem solving ability were developed. and the problem solving ability according to cognitive levels and characteristics of students was compared. The long-term memory effect in conceptual and algorithmic problem solving ability according to cognitive levels was investigated, and problem solving process were analyzed by questionnaire items. In the results of this study, conceptual problem solving ability was higher than algorithmic problem solving ability in all cognitive levels. There was statistically significant difference in concrete operational period and transitional period students. In comparison of the long-term memory effect in conceptual and algorithmic problem solving ability, formal operational period students had the long-term memory effect. There was no statistically significant difference in the conceptual and algorithmic problem solving ability according to private education among the characteristics of students. But there was statistically significant difference in the problem solving ability according to experiences of the scientific activities and hopes to related scientific careers. From results of analysis of problem solving process, it is known that the students had a tendency to just remember macroscopic phenomena and to solve the problems without understanding the concepts. Therefore, teaching and learning strategy is necessary to replace unscientific concepts by the scientific concepts through identifying students's unscientific concepts in advance.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.519-526
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• 2000

In this study, the effects of visual organization and cooperative learning in problem-solving strategy were investigated. Three classes (N=127) at a high school were assigned to SV (Strategy-Visual organization) group, SVC (Strategy-Visual organization-Cooperative learning) group, and control group. After instructions, students' multiple-choice problem-solving ability, strategy performing ability, anxiety about chemistry learning, perception of involvement, and motivation to learning science were examined. Although multiple-choice problem-solving ability was not different significantly, there was a significant main effect in strategy performing ability. The scores of the SV and SVC groups were significantly higher than those of the control group, especially in the subcategories of problem understanding and recalling related principles. In the tests of perception of involvement and motivation to learning science, the scores of the SV and SVC groups were also significantly higher than those of the control group. However, problem-solving strategy using visual organization could not alleviate anxiety about chemistry learning.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2000

The difference (bias) between self-efficacy and chemistry problem-solving ability was investigated for 96 (male: 48, female: 48) high school students. A self-efficacy instrument was administered, which asked the confidence in solving algorithmic and conceptual problems successfully. Their chemistry problem-solving ability was then assessed with 10 algorithmic and 10 conceptual problems as same in the self-efficacy instrument. Although students had higher scores in the algorithmic problems, no significant difference was found in the self-efficacy to solve the two different forms of problems. Therefore, the bias scores in the conceptual problems were higher than those in the algorithmic problems. Two-way ANOVA results for the bias in the algorithmic problems revealed a significant interaction between gender and the previous achievement level. Analysis of simple effects indicated that the bias scores of high-achieving boys were significantly higher than those of high-achieving girls. While most high-achieving boys were in the overconfident category, high-achieving girls were more likely to be in the underconfident category.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

This study examined two students' problem solving approaches: the similarities and the differences in their problem solving approaches, and the general problem solving strategies (heuristics) the students employed were discussed. The two students represent differences not only in terms of grades earned, but also in terms of participation, motivation, attention to detail, and approaches to answering questions and problem solving. Three separate problems were selected for this study: A stoichiometry problem; a fruit salad problem; and a limiting reactant problem. Each student was asked individually on three separate occasions to contribute to this study. There are more similarities in the students' problem solving strategies than there are differences. Both students were able to correctly solve the stoichiometry and the fruit salad problems, and were unable to correctly solve the limiting reactant problem. They recognized that an algorithm could be used for both chemistry problems(a stoichiometry problem & a limiting reactant problem). Both students were unable to correctly solve the limiting reactant problem and to demonstrate a clear understanding of the Law of Conservation of Mass. Nor did they show an ability to apply it in solving the problem. However, there was a difference in each one's ability to extend what had been learned/practiced/quizzed in class, to a related but different problem situation.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2008

purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between high school students' Problem Finding Ability (PFA) and chemistry problem solving ability. To achieve this purpose, the interrelationship between the results of PFA in ill-structured scientific problem situation and the scores of sham examination in chemistry I of College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was analyzed. The results of this study turned out to be as follows: There was correlation (r=.346) between the score of PFA test and that of sham examination in chemistry I of the CSAT. And a little correlation (r=.390) between PFA and students application ability which is one of the sub factors in sham examination of the CSAT. Especially, in the high achievers group there was high correlation (r=.446) between students fluency which is one of the sub factors in PFA, and application ability. This implies that the application ability of high achievers has something to do with their PFA for a variety of problems. As for the PFA between high achievers and low achievers, there was no significant difference (t=.830, p=.411).