Secondary School Students’ Misconceptions of Ionic Bonding: A Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate level of understanding of students at Lycee-1 and Lycee-3 related to concepts about ionic bonds. In this study, a case study research methodology was used. Within this methodology, a multiple choice test was used for collecting data. The test used in the study comprises of 24 multiple-choice items, eight of which were particularly related to ionic bonds, designed from misconceptions on chemical bonds reported in the related literature. The test was administered to 250 students (128 students at Lycee-1 and 122 students at Lycee-3). Rest of the choices in each item includes misconceptions relevant with the concept under investigation as well as the correct answer. As a result of data analysis, it was found out that students had some misconceptions about ionic bonds, the atoms forming ionic bonds, ionic compounds and ionic lattices. This article, firstly, identifies misconceptions related to ionic bonds and than, tries to find out their possible reasons why students have those conceptions. Moreover, it presents some suggestions for teachers and teacher educators to overcome these misconceptions.