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Investigating Students' Difficulties and Approaches to Solving Buffer Related Problems

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Title: Investigating Students' Difficulties and Approaches to Solving Buffer Related Problems
Language: English
Authors: Salame, Issa I., Ramirez, Lorraine, Nikolic, Durica, Krauss, David
Source: International Journal of Instruction. Jan 2022 15(1):911-926.
Availability: Gate Association for Teaching and Education. e-mail: iji@ogu.edu.tr; Web site: http://e-iji.net/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Chemistry, Science Instruction, Problem Solving, Difficulty Level, Concept Formation, Scientific Concepts, Undergraduate Students, Minority Serving Institutions, Likert Scales, Student Attitudes, Barriers, Mathematical Formulas, Equations (Mathematics), Calculators, Memorization, Teaching Methods
Geographic Terms: New York (New York)
ISSN: 1694-609X
Abstract: The subject of buffer solutions in chemistry is a challenging concept for students to learn due to its abstract nature. The difficulties that students face in learning about buffer solutions can lead to poor performance and alternative conceptions about the topic. The development of successful conceptual understanding to solve buffer solution problems requires that students have factual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and conceptual knowledge about the topic. This research project of the City College of New York (a minority-serving, public, urban, commuter institution) investigates difficulties that students experience in learning about buffer solutions and approaches that they rely on to solve buffer-related problems. The research method employed a survey comprised of a Likert-type and open-ended questions was used to assess the understanding of 102 participants. The research results indicate that the principal barrier to learning about buffer solutions is students' dependence on formulaic problem solving and calculator use instead of reliance on conceptual understanding. Furthermore, students face difficulties memorizing a significant number of complicated formulas and equations necessary to solving buffer problems. The dominance of student strategies based on plug and chug problem solving likely hinders the development of conceptual understanding. We recommend that instructors need to be familiar with and address difficulties and alternative conceptions students have about buffer solutions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1331483
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The subject of buffer solutions in chemistry is a challenging concept for students to learn due to its abstract nature. The difficulties that students face in learning about buffer solutions can lead to poor performance and alternative conceptions about the topic. The development of successful conceptual understanding to solve buffer solution problems requires that students have factual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and conceptual knowledge about the topic. This research project of the City College of New York (a minority-serving, public, urban, commuter institution) investigates difficulties that students experience in learning about buffer solutions and approaches that they rely on to solve buffer-related problems. The research method employed a survey comprised of a Likert-type and open-ended questions was used to assess the understanding of 102 participants. The research results indicate that the principal barrier to learning about buffer solutions is students' dependence on formulaic problem solving and calculator use instead of reliance on conceptual understanding. Furthermore, students face difficulties memorizing a significant number of complicated formulas and equations necessary to solving buffer problems. The dominance of student strategies based on plug and chug problem solving likely hinders the development of conceptual understanding. We recommend that instructors need to be familiar with and address difficulties and alternative conceptions students have about buffer solutions.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 911
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Chemistry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
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      – SubjectFull: Difficulty Level
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      – SubjectFull: Concept Formation
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: New York (New York)
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      – TitleFull: Investigating Students' Difficulties and Approaches to Solving Buffer Related Problems
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