The content analysis of Human Physiology questions in the Examination of Natural Sciences and their Technologies in the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (1998-2016)

Abstract:

From the perspective of quantitative-qualitative analysis, this paper delineates the profile of the Human Physiology questions collected from the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio - ENEM (1998-2016) not only seeking to understand them, but also to provide concise and reliable sources for the debate on the subject. With the use of content analysis as a methodological technique, the questions were categorized according to the physiological system involved and to the abilities required by skills 4 and 8 of the Reference Matrix for Natural Sciences. The results showed that 38 out of the 294 analyzed biology questions required the knowledge of at least one of the physiological systems defined in the program, and at least one of the abilities belonging to competence 4. The questions were contextualized and had a wealth of charts, tables and diagrams to aid in the interpretation of their statements, which represents an advantage since they require from candidates critical analysis instead of rote learning.

Keywords:
Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio; Analysis of questions; Biology; Human physiology; Content analysis