Genetic Concepts of Disadvantaged High School Students in Thailand

Abstract

     The purpose of this research was to explore genetic concepts of disadvantaged Thai high school students in academic year 2004. The 157 participants were 14-21 years old students from 16 disadvantaged schools which aim to educate children in particularly difficult circumstances. The instrument was the genetic concept survey, which consists of two-tier multiple choice diagnostic questions and open-ended questions. The genetic concepts in the survey were inheritance traits, gene, chromosome, dominant and recessive alleles, genetic diseases, sex chromosome and genetic engineering. Data were analyzed by grouping the responses and calculating in percent. The results indicated that the majority of students had alternative conceptions and no conception. In each concept, most students had: 'Alternative Conceptions' in gene, chromosome, dominant and recessive alleles, and genetic diseases concepts; 'Partial Understanding' in inheritance traits, and sex chromosome concepts; and 'No Conception' in genetic engineering concepts.