Radiation knowledge and awareness: Evaluation from the perspective of high school students

¹ Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, 06800, Ankara, Türkiye
² Hacettepe University, Faculty of Education, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, 06800, Ankara, Türkiye

^* Corresponding author: ipekderman@gmail.com

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and awareness levels of students studying in the 12th grade of secondary education about the concept of radiation. In line with the purpose of the study, the phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study participants comprised 28 students who studied the subject of ‘Introduction to Atomic Physics and Radioactivity’ in the 12th-grade curriculum of secondary physics courses in secondary education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in the 2023-2024 academic year. The study used seven open-ended questions developed by the researchers as data collection tools. The data obtained from the interviews were subjected to content analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that the students defined radiation as a harmful ray at most. At the same time, it was determined that the students primarily associated radiation with electronic devices and thought radiation could be transmitted from human to human. Considering the data obtained, it was concluded that the students had incomplete and erroneous information about radiation; therefore, their awareness of radiation was not high.