Research Article

High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light

Volume: 14 Number: 1 June 18, 2026
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High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate high school students’ perceptions of the concept of light and to identify their misconceptions. The research was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological approach with a sample of 125 students from grades 9 to 12 at an Anatolian High School in Gümüşhane, Turkey. Data were collected through a diagnostic test consisting of ten open-ended questions and analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques. The findings revealed that students experienced significant difficulties in explaining the formation and structure of light, its role in vision, and its relationship with matter. Misconceptions such as “light is formed through chemical reactions” and “light requires a material medium to propagate” were widespread. Overall, students’ understanding of light was found to be largely non-scientific, shaped by everyday experiences with light sources and its practical functions.

Keywords

References

  1. Kara, M. (2002). Ortaöğretim öğrencilerinin ışık ve optik ile ilgili zor ve yanlış anlaşılan kavramların tespiti üzerine bir araştırma. Yayınlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Gazi Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Ankara.
  2. Kaya A. (2010). Fen bilgisi öğretmen adaylarının ışık ve atom kavramlarını anlama seviyelerinin tespiti, Erzincan Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt 10, Sayı 1, 15–37.
  3. Miles M.B., Huberman A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: A sourcebook of new methods (2nd ed.). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Education Planning

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 18, 2026

Submission Date

March 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1

APA
Kaya, A. (2026). High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light. The International New Issues in Social Sciences, 14(1), 97-118. https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED
AMA
1.Kaya A. High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light. TiniSoS. 2026;14(1):97-118. https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED
Chicago
Kaya, Ali. 2026. “High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light”. The International New Issues in Social Sciences 14 (1): 97-118. https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED.
EndNote
Kaya A (June 1, 2026) High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light. The International New Issues in Social Sciences 14 1 97–118.
IEEE
[1]A. Kaya, “High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light”, TiniSoS, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 97–118, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED
ISNAD
Kaya, Ali. “High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light”. The International New Issues in Social Sciences 14/1 (June 1, 2026): 97-118. https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED.
JAMA
1.Kaya A. High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light. TiniSoS. 2026;14:97–118.
MLA
Kaya, Ali. “High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light”. The International New Issues in Social Sciences, vol. 14, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 97-118, https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED.
Vancouver
1.Ali Kaya. High School Students’ Misconceptions and Conceptual Difficulties Regarding the Nature of Light. TiniSoS [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;14(1):97-118. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA68TT25ED