Primary School Students Cognitive Structures About Nutrient Content: Word Association Test

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the primary school students’ cognitive structures about nutrient content. The case study design, which was one of the qualitative research methods was used in the study. Participants of the study included 41 fourth grade students in a public school in Bursa in the 2021-2022 academic year. Data were collected by word association test and analyzed by content analysis method. The study revealed that 11 themes related to proteins were formed and the most associated sub-theme was milk, meat, fish, and egg food group. Carbohydrates were classified under 14 themes and the most associated sub-theme was bread and cereals. 13 themes related to fats were created and the most associated sub-theme was oil seeds. Regarding vitamins, 12 themes were created, and the most associated sub-theme was fruits. 13 and 14 themes were created, respectively, related to water and minerals. While the sub-theme most associated with water was beverages, the sub-theme associated with minerals was mineral resources. The concept that students left mostly blank and established wrong relationships was minerals.