27Mar 2019

EFFECT OF GIRLS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NANDI NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA.

  • University of Eldoret, Kenya.
Crossref Cited-by Linking logo

  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • References
  • Cite This Article as
  • Corresponding Author

Chemistry is one of the most important branches of science and its contributions to development of a country need to be emphasized. Its performance, however, has been poor especially amongst girls. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of girls? attitude towards the performance of girls in chemistry in secondary schools in Nandi North Sub-County, Nandi County, Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The sample consisted of 303 Form three students and 9 chemistry teachers selected using proportionate, simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interviews and observation schedules were used to collect data. Validity and reliability of these instruments were determined before data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and t-test while qualitative data were transcribed and arranged thematically before reporting in narrations and quotations. The study found out that there was a significant difference between boys and girls in terms of attitude towards Chemistry. The study recommended that teachers of chemistry need to encourage and motivate girls to develop a positive attitude toward the importance of chemistry as a subject. The findings of this study could provide a framework for teachers on which they could re-evaluate their instructional strategies during chemistry lessons for the enhancement of effective teaching and learning. It could also provide insight for the curriculum designers into the kind of practical experiences in secondary school chemistry needed to aid sound understanding of scientific concepts and principles.

  1. Abudu, K.A. and Gbadamosi, M.R. (2014). Relationship between teacher?s attitudes and student academic achievement in senior secondary school chemistry. A case study of Ijebu-Ode and Odgbolu Local Government area of Ogun State. Wudpecker Journal of Educational Research, 3(3):35-43.
  2. Ajayi, K. O., Adewale, T. M., and Muraina, K. O. (2006). Enhancing the performance of Nigerian Senior Secondary School Students through good study habits.? Applied Edu. Vocational Teclm. (JAEVR),?1(1), 18-31.
  3. Akporehwe, J. N. and? Onwioduokit, F. A. (2010). Enhancing scientific attitudes through activity-based approaches. Nigerian Journal of Science and Science Education, vol. 8, no. 2.
  4. Banye, S.K. (2005). Study of factors affecting attitudes of young female students toward chemistry at the high school level. Ph.D. dissertation. Collage of Science and Technology of the University of Southern Mississippi.
  5. Barnes, G., McInerney, D. M. and Marsh, H. W. (2005). Exploring sex differences in science enrolment intentions: An application of the general model of academic choice.?Australian Educational Researcher,?32(2), 1?23.
  6. Chang, S.N, Yeung, Y, Y; and Cheng, M. H. (2009) Ninth graders? learning interests, life experiences and attitudes towards science & technology. Journal of science education and technology, 18 (5), 447? 457.
  7. Creswell, J. W. and Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed). Sage.
  8. George, R. (2006). A cross-domain analysis of change in students? attitudes toward science and attitudes about the utility of science. International Journal of Science Education, 28: 571-589.
  9. Glasman, L. R.andAlbarrac?n, D. (2006). Forming attitudes that predict future behavior: a meta-analysis of the attitude-behavior relation. Psychol Bull.;132(5):778-822.
  10. Hayden, M. and Thompson, J. (2005). Perceptions of students towards International Education: A preliminary Study. Journal of Education vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 389?404.
  11. Hyde, J. S., Fennema, E., Ryan, M., Frost, L. A. and Hopp, C. (1990). Gender comparisons of mathematics attitudes and affect: A meta-analysis. Psychol. Women Q. 14, 299.
  12. Kalu, I. and Ali, A. N. (2004). Classroom interaction patterns, teacher and student characteristics and students' learning outcomes in physics.?The Journal of Classroom Interaction, 24-31.
  13. Kasomo, D. (2001). Research methods in humanities and education. Nairobi. Egerton University Press.
  14. Kelly, A.(1988). Sex Stereotypes and School Science: a three-year follow‐?Educational Studies,?14: 2,151-163.
  15. Kelly, N. and Antonio, A. (2016). Teacher peer support in social network sites. Teaching and Teacher Education, 56, 138-149.
  16. Kombo, D. K., and Tromp, D. L. (2009). Introduction to proposal writing. Nairobi: Pauline publications.
  17. Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological measurement, No:30, pp.607-610).
  18. Lindahl, B.?(2003). Changing the subject to get more students to science and Technology. A paper presented at the GAST 11 conference, Mauritius,
  19. Majere, I. S., Role, E. andMakewa, L. N. (2016). Self-concept, attitude and perception of usefulness of physics and chemistry according to type and location of schools.?MIER Journal of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices,?3(2).
  20. Mugenda, G.A. and Mugenda, O. (2003). Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Nairobi: Acts Press.
  21. Murphy, P. and Whitelegg, E. (2006). Girls and physics: Continuing barriers to ?belonging?.?The Curriculum Journal,?17(3), 281?305.
  22. Osborne, J. & Collins, S. (2001). Pupils' views of the role and value of the science curriculum: A focus group study.?International Journal of Science Education,?23(5), 441?467.
  23. Salta, K. and Tzougraki, C. (2003). Attitudes toward Chemistry among 11th Grade students in high schools in Greece. Wiley Inter Science Journal 3(1)535-347
  24. Sofiani, D., Maulida, A S., Fadhillah, N.andSihite, D Y (2017). Gender Differences in Students? Attitude towards Science. International Conference on Mathematics and Science Education (ICMScE), 1-8.
  25. Spall, K., Dickson, D.andBoyes, E. (2004). Development of school students? constructions of biology and physics.?International Journal of Science Education,?26(7), 787?803.
  26. Ssempala, F. (2005). Gender differences in the performance of Chemistry practical skills among senior six students in Kampala. Boston: Bola Baton.
  27. Warrington, M. and Younger, M. (2000). The other side of the gender gap.?Gender and Education,?12(4), 493?508.

[Bitok Norah Jelimo, Lusweti Kituyi and Waswa Peter. (2019); EFFECT OF GIRLS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NANDI NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 7 (Mar). 1414-1421] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com

Josephat Kibet Bitok
University of Eldoret

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/8775      
DOI URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/8775

Download Full Paper

Download PDF No. of Downloads: 66 | No. of Views: 176