2026-10-10T10:38:53Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33992257 2026-09-25T04:27:47Z category_129 portal_316 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Table 2_Impact of virtual and hands-on laboratory experimentation on the acquisition of conceptual science knowledge: a meta-analysis.docx Katarina Putica (25107283) Jelena Stanišić (25107286) Education conceptual knowledge acquisition hands-on laboratory meta-analysis science virtual laboratory Introduction<p>Hands-on laboratory experimentation is an important contributor to the successful acquisition of conceptual science knowledge, but its practical application has several limitations. Virtual laboratory experiments help overcome most of these shortcomings and may also be more effective than hands-on laboratory activities in promoting conceptual science knowledge acquisition.</p>Methods<p>In this study, the impact of virtual and hands-on laboratory experimentation on the acquisition of conceptual science knowledge was compared by means of a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis encompassed 43 studies selected according to the predefined inclusion criteria, and the principles of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses procedure. For each study, one effect size value of Hedges' g was calculated. Subsequently, due to their heterogeneity, the overall effect size value was computed through the use of the random-effects model.</p>Results<p>Based on the obtained results [g = 0.551, SE = 0.097, 95% CI (0.362, 0.740), p < 0.001] virtual laboratory experimentation appears to be significantly more effective in promoting the acquisition of conceptual science knowledge than experimentation conducted in hands-on laboratories. Furthermore, the meta-regression results suggest that the effectiveness of virtual laboratory experiments may not be moderated by the geographical location, science subject area, methodological quality of included studies, 2D/3D design type, delivery format, learner agency, and software type of virtual laboratories, the duration of their application, or the assessment format used to evaluate conceptual knowledge acquisition. Conversely, virtual laboratory experimentation seems to be significantly more effective when implemented at the secondary school as opposed to the university level (p = 0.014) and when experimental activities were conducted individually rather than within groups (p = 0.008).</p>Conclusions<p>Research results suggest significantly stronger positive impact of virtual laboratory experimentation on the acquisition of conceptual science knowledge and provide potentially important guidelines for both its practical application and future research in this field.</p> 2026-09-25T04:27:47Z Dataset Dataset 10.3389/feduc.2026.1869632.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Table_2_Impact_of_virtual_and_hands-on_laboratory_experimentation_on_the_acquisition_of_conceptual_science_knowledge_a_meta-analysis_docx/33992257 CC BY 4.0