Research Article

Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students

Volume: 27 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
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Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of inquiry-based STEM activities on the creative personality traits of disadvantaged female students. In this context, the study was conducted with 31 female students enrolled in middle schools located in a low-income district of Malatya, who were also registered at a local community center. These students were selected through a purposive random sampling method. The selected participants engaged in inquiry-based STEM activities for a period of five days. A explanatory mixed methods design was employed in the study. The research design corresponds to a quasi-experimental model with a single-group pre-test–post-test structure. The quantitative data were collected using the “Creative Personality Traits Scale” to measure the students’ creative personality characteristics. To support the quantitative findings, qualitative data were gathered through “Knowledge Acquisition Notebooks” and “Product Development Notebooks,” both of which were designed by the researchers, as well as through student diaries and a demographic characteristics form. The findings indicated that the disadvantaged female students developed positive perceptions toward inquiry-based STEM activities. It was concluded that inquiry-based STEM activities had a significant positive effect on their creative personality traits. On the other hand, when academic achievement, grade level, and pre-school education status were examined in terms of their impact on the sub-dimensions of creative personality traits, only the grade level variable showed a significant effect on the sub-dimension of intrinsic motivation. For the other demographic variables, no significant effects were found on the students’ creative personality traits.

Keywords

Inquiry-Based STEM, creative personality trait, STEM education

Supporting Institution

Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Unit

Project Number

SYL-2023-3061

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with scientific research and ethical principles. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection from the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Inonu University under the decision number 2022/2-3. Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all students and their legal guardians. There are no conflicts of interest associated with this study.

Thanks

This study was supported by the Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Unit under project number SYL-2023-3061. The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude for this support.

References

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APA
Şahin, E., & Okuşluk, F. (2026). Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 27(1), 24-43. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.1718625
AMA
1.Şahin E, Okuşluk F. Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students. INUJFE. 2026;27(1):24-43. doi:10.17679/inuefd.1718625
Chicago
Şahin, Edanur, and Funda Okuşluk. 2026. “Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students”. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education 27 (1): 24-43. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.1718625.
EndNote
Şahin E, Okuşluk F (April 1, 2026) Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education 27 1 24–43.
IEEE
[1]E. Şahin and F. Okuşluk, “Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students”, INUJFE, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 24–43, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.17679/inuefd.1718625.
ISNAD
Şahin, Edanur - Okuşluk, Funda. “Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students”. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education 27/1 (April 1, 2026): 24-43. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.1718625.
JAMA
1.Şahin E, Okuşluk F. Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students. INUJFE. 2026;27:24–43.
MLA
Şahin, Edanur, and Funda Okuşluk. “Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students”. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education, vol. 27, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 24-43, doi:10.17679/inuefd.1718625.
Vancouver
1.Edanur Şahin, Funda Okuşluk. Determining the Effect of Inquiry-Based STEM Activities on the Creative Personality Traits of Disadvantaged Female Students. INUJFE. 2026 Apr. 1;27(1):24-43. doi:10.17679/inuefd.1718625