Özet:

However, by revealing individuals’ opinions on certain key concepts, very important data can be obtained and thus individuals’ cognitive structures can be unveiled, because researches on concepts demonstrate individuals’ cognitive structures related to those concepts. The purpose of the current study is to determine student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of AIDS. Qualitative research methodology has been applied in the study. The data were collected from 296 student teachers. In this study, purposive sampling was employed. Free word association test was used to collect data. The data collected were subject to content analysis and divided into categories. The mean reliability between the encoders was found at 93%. On the other hand, NVivo9.3 software was used in forming the model on student teachers' cognitive structures about the concept of AIDS. Based on the categories, frequency was provided. According to the analyses conducted, while 16 categories were determined through the free word association test in student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of AIDS. In this context, it was determined through the free word association test that student teachers' cognitive structures focused on “the results of AIDS, path of transmission of AIDS, the perceptions for AIDS” categories. Moreover, the data collected through these data collection instrument indicated that student teachers had alternative conceptions about the concept of AIDS. Finally, further studies can also be conducted to determine the needs necessary to improve student teachers' knowledge of AIDS and evaluate the findings considering further teacher education.

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