Abstract:

Problem: As in every educational stage, university students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the courses they have taken are among the factors that determine the impact of education. It becomes difficult for the students, who present a negative approach towards the course or the experiences during the course, to reach the targeted level in terms of achieving the goals of the course. For that reason, it is considerably important to identify students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the courses and experiences during the courses. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to identify mathematics teacher candidates’ perceptions and expectations regarding “scientific research methods” course Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to identify mathematics teacher candidates’ perceptions and expectations regarding “scientific research methods” course. Method: “Phenomenological” research design, which is among the qualitative research designs, has been used in this study. In this regard, the sample of the research is composed of 81 second-year students from the Department of Elementary Education Mathematics Teaching EEM and 26 fourth-year students from the Department of Secondary Education Mathematics Teaching SEM who are taking “scientific research methods” course in the fall semester of 2010-2011 academic year. A survey, which is composed of 8 open-ended questions, has been used as data collection tool. Open-ended questions, which have been used in this research as data collection tool, have been prepared by benefitting from the study of Saban, 2006 . Data have been analyzed using “content analysis method”. Results and Suggestions: In view of the obtained data, following results have been observed: 1 This course has earned students a certain perspective regarding scientific research; 2 This course should be given in two semesters; 3 This course should be given in postgraduate programs; 4 Classroom activities of this course should be performed more; 5 Students have acquired the concept of scientific research, which is included in the content of this course, and the objectives regarding what scientific researcher means; 6 It has negatively affected teacher candidates’ perspectives on commencing postgraduate education.

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