Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1919
Title: Attitudes towards evolutionary thought in Malta and Gozo
Authors: Formosa, Genise
Keywords: Evolution (Biology)
Biology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Malta
Ethics, Evolutionary
Teachers -- Malta -- Attitudes
Issue Date: 2014
Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the theory of evolution is accepted in the Maltese Islands. The different levels of acceptance of evolutionary thought within different groups, such as age, gender, locality and levels of education were investigated. Data were collected through qualitative and quantitative methods. Questionnaires were distributed to students in State Secondary Schools, Church Secondary Schools, Post-Secondary Institutes, the University and to the general public in both Malta and Gozo. Questionnaires were also distributed to a small sample of the general public in Cumbria, United Kingdom, for comparative purposes only. Interviews were conducted with six professionals from the Education Sector and Religious Sector. On the basis of the results of this study, it was concluded that Maltese public demonstrated a high acceptance of the theory of evolution. Furthermore, men accepted evolution more than women whilst the younger generation was more accepting of evolution than the older one. Amongst students, Post-Secondary students recorded the highest rejection rate of evolutionary thought. The lack of knowledge amongst the public, whether they had a Biology background or not, was evident from the results gathered, and was also observed amongst teacher participants. An emphasis on the importance of evolution needs to be made in the Science curriculum in order to enhance students’ knowledge of evolutionary processes and their implications. Furthermore, Science teachers and Biology teachers need a better grounding on evolutionary thought for better evolutionary education in their classrooms.
Description: B.ED.(HONS)
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/1919
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacEdu - 2014

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