A Thematic Review of Context-Based Physics Studies

Context-based approach aims to develop and sustain a sense of wonder and curiosity in young people about the natural world. Students are required to induce meanings by using contexts, thus justifying a ‘need-to-know’ approach to content. Thus, their interest and attitudes towards physics have been increased. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate context-based physics studies accessed in databases by using a previously constructed matrix. Forty-six context-based physics studies are included in the study and reviewed thematically in accordance with the matrix which examines the papers in terms of their needs, aims, methodologies, findings, general knowledge claims and implications. According to in depth analysis, studies are mostly done in a need to create recognizable contexts that can be interesting for the students and to provide for a real-life scenarios basis for meaningful learning. This review will emphasize the missing parts of the approach, implications and suggestions for future studies. And also, it is thought that this review paper could be helpful for researchers in terms of gathering the context-based physics researches together.