Female Students’ Viewpoints on the Importance of Designing and Replacing Simple Biology Experiments with Experimental Science Laboratory Books on Teaching and Learning Biological Concepts in District 10 of Tehran

Gholami, Azam; Bagheri Shabestari, Tahere Sadat

doi:10.48310/tpd.2026.16901.1707

Female Students’ Viewpoints on the Importance of Designing and Replacing Simple Biology Experiments with Experimental Science Laboratory Books on Teaching and Learning Biological Concepts in District 10 of Tehran

Document Type : research paper

Authors

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Biology Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

² Master of Biology Education, Department of Biology Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

10.48310/tpd.2026.16901.1707

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Using laboratory activities in biology teaching with an emphasis on observation and group activity is considered one of the methods that fosters innovation and creativity. Considering the importance of the advantages of the laboratory method and limitations such as the lack of laboratory equipment, especially in underdeveloped areas; this study aimed to design simple experiments as an alternative to the biology experiments in the Experimental Science Laboratory Books (1) and (2) and to examine the viewpoints of female students in District 10 of Tehran on the teaching-learning process of biology concepts. Methods: The present study is applied research and was conducted using a mixed methods in two qualitative and quantitative phases. From the statistical population of tenth and eleventh grade students in Tehran (district 10), 120 female students were selected in the 1401-1402 academic year using convenience sampling. Data collection was conducted using the library method and interviews with 48 teachers. After interviewing teachers, 6 experiments were selected from the books. Then, simple experiments were designed and implemented as alternatives. A researcher-made 5-point Likert-type questionnaire was used to survey students’ viewpoints about alternative tests. In the descriptive statistics section, indicators such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation were used, and in the inferential statistics section, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and one-sample t-test were used. Findings: The results showed that the mean scores obtained in all variables were significant at the level of (p< 0.01). Therefore, using the laboratory method through experimental design with minimal facilities has a positive effect on improving the learning of biology concepts, the ability to conduct experiments, understanding the concepts being tested, psychomotor skills, as well as students' communication skills. Conclusion: Assigning the highest average scores to the feasibility of conducting experiments due to their simplicity and low cost, and the students' understanding of biological concepts, indicates the high importance of these two categories, which have a significant impact on the students' scientific, skill, and attitudinal development.

Keywords

Main Subjects