How Do University Students Perceive Climate Change? A Qualitative Study

Öz

Climate change is regarded as one of the most significant issues facing society today. . This problem negatively affects people physically, psychologically, socially and economically. It is necessary to carry out global studies to prevent climate change and minimise its effects. In addition, studies to sensitise individuals to the issue are also of great importance. Because supporting the adoption of different actions can be made possible by having a sensitive awareness of the problem of climate change. The aim of this study is to investigate university students' perception and attitude of climate change. Case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The participants in the study were eight university students. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. The data obtained from the research was analysed using the content analysis technique. Within the framework of the research, the perceptions of the interviewed university students about climate change were discussed within the framework of the main themes of conceptual perception of climate change, causes of climate change, effects of climate change, prevention of climate change and future of climate change. The results of the research were discussed in the light of the literature and various suggestions were made.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• climate change
• environment
• qualitative research

Üniversite Öğrencileri İklim Değişikliğini Nasıl Algılıyor? Bir Nitel Araştırma

Öz

İklim değişikliği günümüzün en önemli sorunlarından birisi olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu sorun insanları fiziksel, psikolojik, sosyal ve ekonomik olarak olumsuz etkilemektedir. İklim değişikliğinin önlenmesine ve/veya etkilerinin en aza indirilmesine yönelik küresel düzeyde çalışmaların yapılması gerekmektedir. Ayrıca bireylerin konuyla ilgili duyarlılık kazanmalarına yönelik yapılacak çalışmalar da büyük önem taşımaktadır. Çünkü iklim değişikliği sorununa karşı duyarlılık beraberinde çeşitli önlemlerin alınmasının teşvik edilmesine olanak sağlayabilmektedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin iklim değişikliğine ilişkin algılarını ve tutumlarını incelemektir. Araştırmada, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan durum çalışması deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın katılımcılarını, sekiz üniversite öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada analiz edilen veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanmış yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile elde edilmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen veriler içerik analizi tekniği ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında görüşme yapılan üniversite öğrencilerinin iklim değişikliğine ilişkin algıları iklim değişikliğine yönelik kavramsal algı, iklim değişikliğinin sebepleri, iklim değişikliğinin etkileri, iklim değişikliğinin önlenmesi ve iklim değişikliğinin geleceği ana temaları çerçevesinde ele alınmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlar alanyazın ışığında tartışılmış ve çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• iklim değişikliği
• çevre
• nitel araştırma

Kaynakça

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