Investigation of Undergraduate Physics Students’ Conception of Eclipses’ Formation Using Three Tiers Diagnostic Test in Ilorin, Nigeria

Oct 15, 2026

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Natural explanation of eclipses is a key scientific learning opportunity that requires systematic investigation to ensure accurate understanding among students. This descriptive survey study examines undergraduate physics students’ conceptions of eclipse formation using a four-item three-tier diagnostic test covering total solar, annular solar, partial solar, and lunar eclipses. Convenience sampling selected 80 students from physics education and pure physics tracks. Results report many misconceptions, and the study recommends frequent assessment and targeted remediation of correct concepts and misconceptions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Abstract

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1. Introduction

Background and significance

Vol. 13, No. 1 (2025), pp.26–33 | |
Issues and Ideas in Education
Journal homepage: [https://iie.chitkara.edu.in/](https://iie.chitkara.edu.in/)

Vol 12 No 2 Sep 2024 | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Investigation of Undergraduate Physics Students’ Conception of Eclipses’Formation Using Three Tiers Diagnostic Test in Ilorin, Nigeria
Wasiu Olayinka Yahaya1*, Abubakar Salman Abdulkadir2, Abdulrazaq Shehu1 and Abdulrasaq OladimejiAkanbi1
1Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
2Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi.
*[yahaya.wo@unilorin.edu.ng](yahaya.wo@unilorin.edu.ng) (Corresponding Author) | | | | | | RESEARCH ARTICLE | | | Open Access | | | ARTICLE INFORMATION | | | ABSTRACT
Background: Natural phenomenon explanation like eclipse is an important event that needs to be examined among all peers so as to ensure the scientific understanding of these natural happeningsin our various environments.
Purpose: This study focuses on investigating the undergraduate physics students’ conception of eclipses formation using a three-tier diagnostic test.
Method: The study was descriptive research of survey type that adopted the usage of a three-tier questionnaire to elicit information about the students’ understanding of eclipses formation. The sample of the study consisted of 80 students (40 physics education students and 40 pure physics students), who were selected through convenience sampling technique. The three-tier diagnostic test consisted of four questions that were on the formation of total solar eclipse, annular solar eclipse, partial solar eclipse, and lunar eclipse, which was used to collect information. Each question consisted of three stages. Descriptive statistics like frequency count, percentage, and pie chart were used to determine the students correct conception, misconception, wrong conception, and guess answer Results: The study found out that 20 students had correct conception, while 42 had misconception of the formation of total solar eclipse.
Conclusion: The study recommended that the study on students correct conception and misconception about the natural phenomenon should be carried out often. | | | Received: August 12, 2024
Accepted: November 11, 2025
Published Online: November 24, 2025 | | | | | | Keywords:
Physics student, Eclipse, Three tiers diagnostic test, Misconception | | | | | | DOI: 10. 15415/iie.2025.131003 | | | | | | 1. Introduction | | | learning default’s belief is that the spherical moon | | | Nigeria, like every other country of the world, experienced the spectacular natural astronomy phenomenon called an eclipse on the 8th day of April 2024. This astronomical phenomenon called eclipse occurs in total, lunar, annular, and partial forms in different locations and parts of the world. Most locations in Nigeria experienced a partial eclipse, and some of the locations include Oyo and Kano, as published by media houses. Schlottman and Anderson (1993) asserted that it is important to study the happenings of natural events and phenomena, as it will aid invariant perceptual structure and address individual differences in understanding.
Slater and Gelderman (2017) asserted that students learning about eclipses lack a scientific and accurate understanding of why moon phases occur, while the | | | | in the night sky should always appear to be full and round. The authors further opined that learners often believe and hold the notion that minutes-long solar eclipses can only be seen from a specific geographic location, but hours-long lunar eclipses are visible to everyone on Earth’s nighttime side.
Hewitt (1970) opined that studying natural phenomena and events is an important tool for understanding the probabilistic structure of phenomena that occur within a space or limited time. Yu (2020) asserted that natural events and phenomena investigation, such as dust eve

FAQs

What is the purpose of this study?

To investigate undergraduate physics students’ conceptions of eclipses’ formation using a three-tier diagnostic test.

How was the study conducted and who were the participants?

The study used a descriptive survey design. It involved 80 students selected through convenience sampling (40 physics education students and 40 pure physics students).

What topics did the three-tier diagnostic test assess?

It assessed formation of total solar eclipse, annular solar eclipse, partial solar eclipse, and lunar eclipse, with four questions across three stages.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Aria