Kerem Coskun

Recycling assessment instrument (RAI): Validity and reliability study

ABSTRACT The present study addresses development of an instrument assessing primary school childrens procedural knowledge of recycling. It was designed as survey research. The research sample included 361 primary school children whose ages vary from 7 to 10 years so it was decided to make a draft of the instrument with images and drawings of recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Data were analyzed with item-total correlation, comparison of upper and lower 27% groups, inter-item correlation and internal consistency. The results of the study indicate that the RAI is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the procedural knowledge levels of primary school children.

Is birth order really important in peer relationship? A grounded theory approach

Abstract This article seeks to develop a theory about the importance of peer relationship among the oldest of the youngest children who have finished preschool education and already started primary school. In the study, observation was employed to collect data from 22 children. The data were analysed through the grounded theory approach, in which data are dealt with inductively. In the data analysis, written-up observations were processed with open coding, axial coding and selective coding. As a result of the data analysis, we argue that only children are inclined to get approval from their peers to extend their social interest and remain unresponsive; the youngest siblings compete for the teacher’s interest and are inclined to attract attention and remain unresponsive due to acceptance difference; the oldest siblings conceive attracting attention as a way of compensating for loss of family interest.