Students' Understanding of Physics in Science Process Skills using Inquiry-Link Maps: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The inquiry-link maps in learning physics can help students to improve their science process skills. Science process skills can be identified through students' understanding of physics. This study aims to describe the profile of students' understanding of physics and its relationship with science process skills through inquiry-link maps. The profile of students 'understanding of physics is known based on the results of the students' initial test scores on physics material which is also accompanied by filling out a questionnaire response. The results on students' initial understanding of physics are shown in quantitative and qualitative data. Based on the results of the study, students have adequate specific knowledge of physics ability, especially on several material. Physics materials that are considered difficult is thermodynamics because the teacher does not give examples, and the student is never doing laboratory activities. The results show that students have difficulty in applying scientific methods which is one of the indicators in science process skills.