Research Article

We Couldn't Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators

Volume: 15 Number: 1 August 4, 2026
TR EN

We Couldn't Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which experimental activities are implemented in science courses and to examine the reasons why experiments cannot be conducted, based on the views of students, teachers, and school administrators. The study employed an intrinsic case study design, a qualitative research method. It was conducted in ten randomly selected middle schools in a city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Data were collected from 10 school principals, 15 science teachers, and 20 students. The findings showed that teachers, students, and administrators shared similar views regarding the challenges of conducting experiments. The most frequently reported barriers were inadequate infrastructure, lack of materials, safety concerns, and disciplinary problems. Teachers identified low motivation, insufficient guidance, heavy workload, and limited time as major obstacles. Students reported that their low levels of responsibility, lack of prior knowledge, and insufficient laboratory-use competencies adversely affected the process. In addition, the exam-oriented education system was found to restrict the time allocated to experimental activities. School administrators also highlighted the absence of a systematic monitoring mechanism. Based on these findings, several recommendations were proposed to support the sustainability of experimental activities.

Keywords

References

  1. Abd‐El‐Khalick, F., Boujaoude, S., Duschl, R., Lederman, G. N., Mamlok‐Naaman, R., Niaz, M., Treagust, D., & Tuan, H. (2004). Inquiry in science education: International perspectives. Science Education, 88(3), 397-419.
  2. Abrahams, I., & Millar, R. (2008). Does practical work really work? A study of the effectiveness of practical work as a teaching and learning method in school science. International Journal of Science Education, 30(14), 1945-1969.
  3. Akdeniz, A. R., & Karamustafaoğlu, O. (2003). Fizik öğretimi uygulamalarında karşılaşılan güçlükler. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 1(2), 1-14.
  4. Akıllı, M., & Kutur, K. (2023). Does science literacy affect self-efficacy in science teaching? An analysis with structural equation modelling. Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 15(2), 487-502. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/15.2/745
  5. Akpınar, E., & Yıldız, E. (2006). Açık uçlu deney tekniğinin öğrencilerin laboratuvara yönelik tutumlarına etkisinin araştırılması. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 20, 69-76.
  6. Anılan, B., Berber, A., & Suder, N. (2020). Basit araçlarla yaparak öğrenme yöntemi ile yapılan deney uygulamalarına yönelik öğretmen adayı ve öğrenci görüşleri. Kastamonu Education Journal, 28(1), 52-71. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.3424
  7. Arslan, M., & Taşdemir, A. (2021). Fen bilimleri öğretmenlerinin 5. sınıf fen bilimleri dersi öğretim programına yönelik görüşleri. e-Kafkas Journal of Educational Research, 8(1), 57-79. https://doi.org/10.30900/kafkasegt.872778
  8. Aykutlu, I., Bezen, S. ve Bayrak, C. (2016). Opinions of school principals and physics teachers on laboratory practices and use of laboratory practices within the new physics curriculum. Kastamonu Education Journal, 24(2), 585-602.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Science Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 4, 2026

Submission Date

July 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

APA
Gürkan, G., & Arduç, M. A. (2026). We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, 15(1), 680-697. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1752284
AMA
1.Gürkan G, Arduç MA. We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators. CIJE. 2026;15(1):680-697. doi:10.30703/cije.1752284
Chicago
Gürkan, Gülşah, and Mehmet Akif Arduç. 2026. “We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 (1): 680-97. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1752284.
EndNote
Gürkan G, Arduç MA (August 1, 2026) We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 1 680–697.
IEEE
[1]G. Gürkan and M. A. Arduç, “We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators”, CIJE, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 680–697, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.30703/cije.1752284.
ISNAD
Gürkan, Gülşah - Arduç, Mehmet Akif. “We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15/1 (August 1, 2026): 680-697. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1752284.
JAMA
1.Gürkan G, Arduç MA. We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators. CIJE. 2026;15:680–697.
MLA
Gürkan, Gülşah, and Mehmet Akif Arduç. “We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 1, Aug. 2026, pp. 680-97, doi:10.30703/cije.1752284.
Vancouver
1.Gülşah Gürkan, Mehmet Akif Arduç. We Couldn’t Conduct the Science Experiments! A Case Study from the Perspectives of Teachers, Students, and School Administrators. CIJE. 2026 Aug. 1;15(1):680-97. doi:10.30703/cije.1752284

14550                 

© Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Education