Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026)

Teachers' Efforts in Addressing Students' Misconceptions on Force and Its Effects in Elementary Science and Social Studies

Ari Astuti (Tadulako University)
Yun Ratna Lagandesa (Universitas Tadulako)
Sisriawan Lapasere (Universitas Tadulako)
Zulnuraini Zulnuraini (Universitas Tadulako)
Ryan Andhika Pratama (Universitas Tadulako)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Apr 2026

Abstract

Misconceptions in elementary science learning—particularly in the concept of force and motion—remain a persistent obstacle to achieving meaningful conceptual understanding. Despite growing research on misconception identification, little is known about how teachers actively address these misconceptions within the Science and Social Studies (Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam dan Sosial/IPAS) framework under the Merdeka Curriculum. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design involving one fourth-grade teacher and 23 students at SD Inpres 3 Talise, Palu City. Data were collected through structured classroom observations across five lessons, a semi-structured teacher interview, a validated ten-item Likert-scale student questionnaire (α = .87), and documentation review, and were analyzed using the Miles et al. (2014) framework. Three dominant misconceptions were identified: force as push-only, object mass as the sole determinant of mobility, and force as requiring visible contact. The teacher employed five integrated strategies—diagnostic questioning, concrete demonstrations, collaborative discussion, immediate corrective feedback, and concept reinforcement—supplemented by adaptive video use for abstract concepts. Student perceptions were strongly positive (83.37%). These findings align with conceptual change theory and underscore the centrality of adaptive pedagogical content knowledge in effective misconception remediation. This study contributes empirical documentation of responsive teacher practice within an underrepresented curriculum context and provides practical guidance for elementary science teacher development.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jirpe

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education (JIRPE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original research and review articles primarily but limited to the area of elementary school education. It brings together academics and researchers from different countries who ...