Journals / Journal of Global Tourism and Technology Research / 2026 / Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2

The Role of Astronomy Knowledge, Attitudes, and Previous Activity Experience in University Students’ Willingness to Participate in an Astro-Tourism Program

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Astro-Turizm Programına Katılım İsteklerinde Astronomi Bilgisi, Tutum ve Önceki Etkinlik Deneyiminin Rolü

Setenay Melek Yurttabir(Balıkesir Üniversitesi Burhaniye Uygulamalı Bilimler Fakültesi)0009-0002-2599-9917
Mehmet Oğuzhan İlban(BALIKESİR ÜNİVERSİTESİ BURHANİYE UYGULAMALI BİLİMLER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-7557-9817
Pages
118–130
Publication Date
2026-10-16
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that potential participation in astro-tourism programs may be more closely associated with attitudes toward astronomy and previous activity experience than with basic astronomy knowledge.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the relationships among university students’ basic astronomy knowledge, attitudes toward astronomy, and willingness to participate in an astro-tourism program.
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Key Findings & Data:The study group consisted of 481 students selected through convenience sampling from the Burhaniye Faculty of Applied Sciences at Balıkesir University.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that potential participation in astro-tourism programs may be more closely associated with attitudes toward astronomy and previous activity experience than with basic astronomy knowledge.
🔬Design:Lab & Field Experiment
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Astro-turizm · astronomiye yönelik tutum · temel astronomi bilgisi

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationships among university students’ basic astronomy knowledge, attitudes toward astronomy, and willingness to participate in an astro-tourism program. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational survey design. The study group consisted of 481 students selected through convenience sampling from the Burhaniye Faculty of Applied Sciences at Balıkesir University. Data were collected using a personal information form, the 15-item Astronomy Attitude Scale, the 30-item Astronomy Achievement Test, and a single item measuring willingness to participate in an astro-tourism program. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used. The mean score for attitudes toward astronomy was 3.26±0.55, the mean basic astronomy knowledge score was 10.73±4.46 out of 30, and the mean willingness-to-participate score was 2.89±1.02. A positive and weak relationship was found between attitudes toward astronomy and basic astronomy knowledge (r=.195, p<.001). Attitudes toward astronomy were also positively but weakly associated with willingness to participate in an astro-tourism program (r=.132, p=.004), whereas basic astronomy knowledge was not significantly associated with willingness to participate (r=.084, p=.064). Students who had previously participated in an astronomy-related activity reported significantly greater willingness to participate than those without such experience. The findings indicate that potential participation in astro-tourism programs may be more closely associated with attitudes toward astronomy and previous activity experience than with basic astronomy knowledge.

Özet

Bu araştırmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin temel astronomi bilgi düzeyleri, astronomiye yönelik tutumları ve astro-turizm programına katılım istekleri arasındaki ilişkileri belirlemektir. Nicel ve kesitsel ilişkisel tarama deseninde yürütülen araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, kolayda örnekleme yöntemiyle ulaşılan ve Balıkesir Üniversitesi Burhaniye Uygulamalı Bilimler Fakültesinde öğrenim gören 481 öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Veriler kişisel bilgi formu, 15 maddelik Astronomi Tutum Ölçeği, 30 maddelik Astronomi Başarı Testi ve astro-turizm programına katılım isteğini ölçen tek maddelik bir soru aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler, bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi ve Pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Öğrencilerin astronomiye yönelik tutum ortalaması 3,26±0,55, temel astronomi bilgi puanı ortalaması 30 puan üzerinden 10,73±4,46 ve astro-turizm programına katılım isteği ortalaması 2,89±1,02 olarak belirlenmiştir. Astronomiye yönelik tutum ile temel astronomi bilgisi arasında pozitif ve düşük düzeyde anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur (r=,195; p<,001). Astronomiye yönelik tutum ile katılım isteği arasında da pozitif ve düşük düzeyde anlamlı bir ilişki belirlenirken (r=,132; p=,004), temel astronomi bilgisi ile katılım isteği arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır (r=,084; p=,064). Daha önce astronomi etkinliğine katılan öğrencilerin katılım isteği, katılmayan öğrencilerden anlamlı biçimde daha yüksektir. Bulgular, astro-turizm programlarına yönelik katılım potansiyelinin temel astronomi bilgisinden çok astronomiye yönelik tutum ve önceki etkinlik deneyimiyle ilişkili olabileceğine işaret etmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Yurttabir, S. M., İlban, M. O. (2026). The Role of Astronomy Knowledge, Attitudes, and Previous Activity Experience in University Students’ Willingness to Participate in an Astro-Tourism Program. Journal of Global Tourism and Technology Research, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2, 118–130. https://doi.org/10.54493/jgttr.2004458

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