Examining middle school students views on global problems using pareto analysis method

The aim of the research is to reveal the views of secondary school students on global problems. The study group consists of a total of 110 students studying in secondary schools in the province of Artvin. The phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the research. The data collected through a semi-structured interview form were analyzed with content and pareto analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that the problems frequently repeated by the students as global problems were war, global warming, and natural disasters. The participants' views on the causes of global problems were categorized under main reasons such as pollution, global warming, natural disasters, wars, hunger, drought-famine, global climate change, and social-political problems. According to the obtained data, it was determined that the most frequently repeated cause of pollution was littering; global warming was exhaust fumes and factory chimneys; natural disasters were cutting down trees; wars were the desire to gain land; hunger was waste; drought/famine was throwing away food; global climate change was perfume use and destruction of nature; and social-political problems were civil strife. When the participants' views were examined, it was determined that the global problem that would affect their lives the most was pollution. The most frequently repeated negative outcome of global problems by the participants was deaths. The participants, who stated that they would give both actionable and emotional responses to global problems, claimed that public officials and people had various duties in solving these problems. Based on the findings of the study, several recommendations have been made. Teachers' classroom observations and opinions can be consulted when discussing global issues. Efforts can be made to raise students' awareness and sensitivity to local and international organizations that play a role in solving global problems.