ANALYSIS OF STUDENT DIFFICULTIES IN UNDERSTANDING ORGANIC COMPOUND SOLUBILITY CONCEPTS THROUGH PERFORMANCE SURVEY IN LABORATORY (PSIL)

This study aimed to analyzestudent difficulties in understanding the concepts of solubility and the dissolution process of organic compounds, linking these difficulties to their performance in the laboratory. An Explanatory Mixed Method design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Participants were fourth-semester Chemistry Education students enrolled in the Organic Chemistry II course. The results indicate that student difficulties are multidimensional, involving misconceptions regarding intermolecular forces, the influence of functional groups, and the "like dissolves like" principle. The Performance Survey in Laboratory(PSiL) instrument proved effective as a diagnostic tool to identify the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application.