Turkish Science Teachers’ Use of Educational Research and Resources

Abstract

Background:Research results demonstrate that there is a gap between educational research and practice. Turkey is not an exception in this case.Materials and methods:This study aims to examine to what extent and how educational research and resources are being followed, understood and used in classroom practices by science teachers in Turkey. A sample of 968 science teachers working at junior high schools in Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey was surveyed. The data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.Results:The results indicate that the most common sources of information used by teachers to follow educational research are “internet”; “radio”, “television” and “newspapers”; “scientific magazine journals”; and “educational books” respectively. In contrast, the least followed sources of information used by teachers are “educational symposiums, conferences and workshops”, and “educational scientific journals” and “dissertations”.Conclusions:18.7% of science teachers stated that they could understand scientific educational research. Science teachers’ level of applying the educational research results into practice was found as 5.7 %.