Examination of pre-service science teachers’ perceptions and understanding of evolution in relation to socio-demographic variables

This study explored pre-service science teachers’ understanding and acceptance of evolution and their perceived necessity of introducing evolution into elementary science classes in relation to some socio-demographic variables. A total of 415 pre-service science teachers completed the background characteristics survey, evolution content knowledge test and measure of acceptance of the theory of evolution. Canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that pre-service science teachers with well-educated parents, females, and those with high levels of interest in evolution tended to have higher levels of understanding and acceptance of evolution compared to others.