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Table 2 Biological evolution literacy survey statement percent teacher response

From: Is Oklahoma really OK? A regional study of the prevalence of biological evolution-related misconceptions held by introductory biology teachers

#

Category

Statement

Teacher response (%)a

   

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

SSMT1

A scientific theory that explains a natural phenomenon can be classified as a ‘best guess’ or ‘hunch’.b

2.6

15.8

10.5

67.1

1.3

2.6

2

SSMT2

The scientific methods used to determine the age of fossils and the earth are reliable.

39.5

34.2

14.5

11.8

0.0

0.0

3

SSMT3

According to the second law of thermodynamics, complex life forms cannot evolve from simpler life forms.

13.2

7.9

25.0

31.6

18.4

3.9

4

SSMT4

The earth is old enough for evolution to have occurred.

60.5

18.4

3.9

13.2

3.9

0.0

5

SSMT5

Evolution cannot be considered a reliable explanation because evolution is only a theory.

7.9

14.5

19.7

52.6

3.9

1.3

6

IE1

Evolution always results in improvement.b

10.5

14.5

25.0

47.4

1.3

1.3

7

IE2

Members of a species evolve because of an inner need to evolve.b

10.5

11.8

13.2

60.5

2.6

1.3

8

IE3

Traits acquired during the lifetime of an organism - such as large muscles produced by body building - will not be passed along to offspring.

71.1

11.8

6.6

7.9

2.6

0.0

9

IE4

If webbed feet are being selected for, all individuals in the next generation will have more webbing on their feet than do individuals in their parents’ generation.b

9.2

19.7

15.8

53.9

1.3

0.0

10

IE5

Evolution cannot cause an organism’s traits to change within its lifetime.

73.7

9.2

7.9

5.3

3.9

0.0

11

NE1

New traits within a population appear at random.c

35.5

30.3

19.7

10.5

3.9

0.0

12

NE2

Individual organisms adapt to their environments.

23.7

21.1

11.8

43.4

0.0

0.0

13

NE3

Evolution is a totally random process.

13.2

19.7

23.7

40.8

2.6

0.0

14

NE4

The environment determines which traits are best suited for survival.

52.6

36.8

5.3

3.9

1.3

0.0

15

ME1

Variation among individuals within a species is important for evolution to occur.a

73.7

14.5

6.6

2.6

2.6

0.0

16

ME2

‘Survival of the fittest’ means basically that ‘only the strong survive’.c

10.5

30.3

14.5

44.7

0.0

0.0

17

ME3

The size of the population has no effect on the evolution of a species.b

5.3

3.9

27.6

61.8

1.3

0.0

18

ME4

Complex structures such as the eye could have been formed by evolution.

34.2

22.4

10.5

26.3

6.6

0.0

19

ME5

Only beneficial traits are passed on from parent to offspring.

3.9

3.9

14.5

77.6

0.0

0.0

20

ESE1

There exists a large amount of evidence supporting the theory of evolution. b

46.1

18.4

13.2

18.4

3.9

0.0

21

ESE2

According to the theory of evolution, humans evolved from monkeys, gorillas, or apes.

13.2

9.2

9.2

64.5

3.9

0.0

22

ESE3

Scientific evidence indicates that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time in the past.b

9.2

15.8

7.9

59.2

6.6

1.3

23

ESE4

The majority of scientists favor evolution over other explanations for life.

51.3

26.3

11.8

2.6

7.9

0.0

  1. Italicized data indicate percentage of participants accepting the statement-related misconception. aPercent response may not total 100.0% due to rounding. bStatement adapted from Cunningham and Wescott (2009). cStatement taken directly from Cunningham and Wescott (2009). SSMT, science, scientific methodology and terminology; IE, intentionality of evolution; NE, nature of evolution; ME, mechanisms of evolution; ESE, evidence supporting evolution; 1, strongly agree; 2, somewhat agree; 3, somewhat disagree; 4, strongly disagree; 5, undecided/never heard of it; 6, no response.