The objective of this study is to analyze cognitive structures of students regarding the concepts of recycling and reuse by utilizing flow maps. In the study, survey research method was preferred. Research group consists of the students (n=30) receiving education at 8th grade in a junior high school in Mamak, Ankara. In the phase of data collection, four open-ended questions were asked to students regarding the subjects of recycling and reuse, and their answers were recorded by means of a tape recorder upon the consent of the students. In the second phase, the records were listened; flow maps were designed for each student, and those maps were analyzed. The analyses of flow maps were examined in terms of the parameters of extent, richness, misconceptions, and integratedness, and related scores were given to each student. The results of this study demonstrated cognitive structures and misconceptions of students regarding recycling and reuse. Flow map technique can be preferred as an alternative for classical methods used in the determination of cognitive structures.
The objective of this study is to analyze cognitive structures of students regarding the concepts of recycling and reuse by utilizing flow maps. In the study, survey research method was preferred. Research group consists of the students (n=30) receiving education at 8th grade in a junior high school in Mamak, Ankara. In the phase of data collection, four open-ended questions were asked to students regarding the subjects of recycling and reuse, and their answers were recorded by means of a tape recorder upon the consent of the students. In the second phase, the records were listened; flow maps were designed for each student, and those maps were analyzed. The analyses of flow maps were examined in terms of the parameters of extent, richness, misconceptions, and integratedness, and related scores were given to each student. The results of this study demonstrated cognitive structures and misconceptions of students regarding recycling and reuse. Flow map technique can be preferred as an alternative for classical methods used in the determination of cognitive structures.