AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMON DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY
ABSTRACT
The study scrutinizes the Difficulties Encountered by Student in Chemistry Practical Class in Secondary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the challenges encountered by students in chemistry practical class, determine the availability and utilization of laboratory resources for teaching of Chemistry, assess the achievement of students based on the availability and the usage of laboratory resources, and find out to what extent laboratory resources are available and used in Secondary School and how this has affected the achievement of students in Chemistry. The research design used in this report is descriptive design, utilizing questionnaire method to obtain information from the respondents for this project. A total of 200 (two hundred) respondents were selected for this study to represent the entire population of the study. For null hypotheses were formulated and tested using the one-way ANOVA and the t-test statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance. Primary data were collected from the primary source which questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection while secondary data were sources from textbooks, journals, newspapers and the internet were employed. The data were presented on a frequency distribution table and analyzed using simple percentage, while hypothesis was tested using chi-square test. This study will be of great importance to the society as well as the nation at large because of its scientific, social, economic, and technological value particularly the students as their reasoning faculty and their creative skills may be improved through effective methods of teaching.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
The technological advancement of any country depends on the scientific background of such country. Chemistry teaching practical to be précised has been faced with a lot of problems. More attempts have been made to find solutions to these problems. On the contrary, the inadequacy of basic laboratory infrastructures and technical personnel which are involved in the teaching of chemistry practical, have manned this methods. As a result, the objectives of teaching and learning of practical and experimental exercise which are geared towards improving the preparation of scientific background for technological advancement have not been achieved. Several difficulties encountered serves as an impediment not only to chemistry practical but also to the teaching of chemistry in secondary school some of these difficulties encountered would be enumerated later in this research.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Chemistry is the study that deals with the composition, properties and the use of matter. It probes into the principles governing the changes that matter undergoes: (Advanced Level Chemistry by John Murray). Chemistry is an incredibly fascinating field of study, because it is so fundamental to our world. Chemistry plays a role in everyone’s lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. Chemistry is essential for meeting our basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, health, energy, clean air, water and soil. Chemical technologies enrich the quality of life in numerous ways by providing new solutions to problems in health and materials and energy usage. Chemistry as one of the major sciences is concerned with the composition, structure and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergo during chemical reactions. Chemistry is the science of matter and the changes it undergoes under different conditions of temperature and pressure.
The enviable position of which Science Education system of most countries of the world, including Nigeria is perhaps justifiable. The reason is that science can exert a dominant, if not decisive influence on the life of individuals as well as on the developmental effort of a nation. (Emoron, 1958) the universal recognition of the above submission is responsible for the prime position that has been accorded since and in particular, Chemistry worldwide. If chemistry is so important to the life of individuals and the nation, then the input into teaching and learning of chemistry to enhance greater performance by the students should be of great concern but in the real sense reverse is the case. The Government policy that admission into the universities should be 60% of sciences and applied sciences and 40% arts and social sciences are often times not accomplished because there are not enough students opting for science related courses. Despite the importance of chemistry to mankind and the efforts of researchers to improve its teaching and learning, the achievement of students in the subject remain low in Nigeria. Among the factors that have been identified as responsible for the observed trend and relevant to this study are laboratory inadequacies (Okegbile, 1996, Raimi, 1998; Bajah, 1999 and Adeyegbe, 2005).
According to Raimi (2002) and Adeyegbe (2005), chemistry practical laboratory adequacy was reported to affect the performance of students in Chemistry. Likewise, about the use of laboratory, Farounbi (1998) argued that students tend to understand and recall what they see more than what they hear. Students see when they actually use laboratories in the teaching and learning of science. Similarly, Adesoji and Olatunbosun (2008) found that laboratory adequacy was also found to enhanced achievement through attendance at Chemistry workshop.
Science laboratory is a very important resource input for teaching science and is an important predictor of academic achievement. Throwing more light on school facilities and moral guiding provision, Fabunmi (1997) asserted that school facilities when provided will aid teaching learning programme and consequently improve academic achievement of students while the models guiding their provision to schools could take any form as rational bureaucratic and or political model.
Therefore, in Secondary School where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Difficulties Encountered by Student in Chemistry Practical Class.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Chemistry as a science subject is taught in most secondary schools in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State. Almost all science students in these school offer chemistry (the practical in particular) because of its vital role as one of the basic science subjects relevant in science profession. Inspite of students interest and reactions towards chemistry practical, they perform poorly in chemistry in their final examination as a result of the way they were been taught by their chemistry teacher. The questions that come to mind are what are the problems of teaching chemistry practical in schools? Could it be as a result of lack of laboratories in schools, lack of laboratory attendance, or lack of qualified personnel or inability of the teachers to use the laboratory equipment in teaching? This has been a great concern to most people. And it forms the essence of this project.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Difficulties Encountered by Student in Chemistry Practical Class in Secondary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the challenges encountered by students in chemistry practical class in Secondary School.
- To determine the availability and utilization of laboratory resources for teaching of Chemistry in Secondary School
- To assess the achievement of students based on the availability and the usage of laboratory resources.
- To find out to what extent laboratory resources are available and used in Secondary School and how this has affected the achievement of students in Chemistry.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does the availability and utilization of laboratory resources enhance teaching of Chemistry in Secondary School?
- Is Secondary School laboratory's equipment inadequate?
- Is there insufficient time allocated to chemistry student on the time table?
- What are the challenges Encountered by students in chemistry practical class in Secondary School?
- What is the achievement of students based on the availability and the usage of laboratory resources?
- To what extent laboratory resources are available and used in Secondary School and how this has affected the achievement of students in Chemistry?
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …
Procedure for Downloading the PDF (Docx) Material
An Assessment of the Common Difficulties Encountered by Students in Chemistry can be downloaded by requesting the full set of materials at the project or seminar cost. The document will be sent via Microsoft Word (MS-Word) format via WhatsApp (e-mail) following payment confirmation.
| Seminar Material Cost ₦3,000 | Project Material Cost ₦5,000 |
Request Complete Material
 | Click here to request the Complete Material via WhatsApp including;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTSPRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Background of Study
- 1.3 Statement of Problem
- 1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
- 1.5 Research Questions
- 1.6 Research Hypothesis
- 1.7 Significance of Study
- 1.8 Scope of Study
- 1.9 Limitations of the study
- 1.10 Definition of Terms
LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Concept and Rationale for Teaching Chemistry
- 2.3 Approaches of Teaching and Learning Chemistry Practical
- 2.4 Chemistry Practical as a Teaching Mode
- 2.5 The Role of Practical Work in Teaching and Learning of Chemistry Course
- 2.6 Practical Sciences in Schools
- 2.7 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Global perspective
- 2.8 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Developing Countries
- 2.9 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Nigeria
- 2.10 Challenges Encountered by Chemistry Practical Students
- 2.11 Knowledge Gap
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of Study
- 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Questionnaire
- 3.8.1 Interview
- 3.8.2 Key Informants Interview
- 3.8.3 Observation
- 3.9 Statistical Analysis
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Test of Hypothesis 1
- 4.4 Test of Hypothesis 2
- 4.5 Discussion of Findings
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Summary
- 5.3 Conclusion
- 5.4 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "An Assessment of the Common Difficulties Encountered by Students in Chemistry" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
PRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Background of Study
- 1.3 Statement of Problem
- 1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
- 1.5 Research Questions
- 1.6 Research Hypothesis
- 1.7 Significance of Study
- 1.8 Scope of Study
- 1.9 Limitations of the study
- 1.10 Definition of Terms
LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Concept and Rationale for Teaching Chemistry
- 2.3 Approaches of Teaching and Learning Chemistry Practical
- 2.4 Chemistry Practical as a Teaching Mode
- 2.5 The Role of Practical Work in Teaching and Learning of Chemistry Course
- 2.6 Practical Sciences in Schools
- 2.7 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Global perspective
- 2.8 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Developing Countries
- 2.9 Chemistry Practical Laboratory Teaching in Nigeria
- 2.10 Challenges Encountered by Chemistry Practical Students
- 2.11 Knowledge Gap
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of Study
- 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Questionnaire
- 3.8.1 Interview
- 3.8.2 Key Informants Interview
- 3.8.3 Observation
- 3.9 Statistical Analysis
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Test of Hypothesis 1
- 4.4 Test of Hypothesis 2
- 4.5 Discussion of Findings
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Summary
- 5.3 Conclusion
- 5.4 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "An Assessment of the Common Difficulties Encountered by Students in Chemistry" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the material for “Impact of Domestic Terrorism on Nigeria National Development” be used as a guide for Political Science Project?
Yes it can be used — The study scrutinizes the Impact of Domestic Terrorism on Nigeria National Development using Banditry in North East 2015-2021 as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives of study were considered to: identify the factors influencing Domestic Banditry Fulani Herdsmen Terrorism in North East in Nigeria National Development between the period of 2015 to 2021, establish why Banditry Fulani Herdsmen Terrorism is inevitable despite the collective state efforts, examine how Banditry Fulani Herdsmen Terrorism has affected education systems, examine the effects of terrorist activities on peace and security from 2015 to 2021, and provide recommendations on how to effectively combat the effects of terrorism in the Nigeria system. The research design used in this report is descriptive …
Can the material for “Waec Online Registration System” be used as a guide for Computer Science Education Project?
Yes it can be used — West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is an examination board established by law to determine the examinations required in the public interest in the English-speaking West African countries, to conduct the examinations and to award certificates comparable to those of equivalent examining authorities internationally. The aim of the study is to develop a Waec Online Registration System software. In achieving this aim, the specific objectives were set out to design and implement an online Examination Registration System for West African Examination Council, Uyo Branch, ensure fastness and versatile of online registration. The system will introduce a new system of registration that is effective and acceptable. This research is significant to other program and student in computer science discipline because, it will …
Is the topic “Rotational Presidency and Power Shift as an Instrument of National Integration in Nigeria” recommended for Political Science Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — One of the biggest issues Nigeria is grappling with, apart from systemic corruption, is that of the perennial struggle among the various regions and ethnic groups that make up the country for power at the centre or federal level. If it is not elements in the North insisting power should return to them, it is elements from the south insisting they have not had enough of it yet to let go. This jostle since independence has led not only to the various regions and ethnic groups working against one another, but also stunting of the nations development, violence and crisis before, during, and after general elections. The cry of marginalization and threat of secession by southerners has been as a …
Can the material for “Impact of Employee Participation in Decision Making in an Organization” be used as a guide for Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) Project?
Yes it can be used — This research work is conducted to determine the impact of employee participation in the decision making in an organization (A Case Study of Freedom Group of Company, Benin City). It is imperative to state that the style adopted by any organization have impact on the employees motivation positively or negatively. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire and oral interview alongside. The data collected were carefully analyzed using statistical method such as chi-square method. Based on the analysis data, the following findings were made that employees should be involved in decision making process rather than acting on orders. Employees participation is part of a process of empowerment in the organization. it is important for employees to participate effectively in decision …
Can the material for “The Influence of Performance Appraisal on Productivity in a Business Organization” be used as a guide for Business Administration and Management (BAM) Project?
Yes it can be used — While the concept of performance appraisal is not new, the study of employee perception of the concept is still going on. The way employees perceives performances appraisal affects the importance that is attached to it. Many managers see the performance appraisal process as an administrative rite that consumes a lot of time, while producing little more than frustration, confrontation, and piles of paperwork. This research work provides an assessment of the impact of performance appraisal on production and productivity taking a case study of First Bite Limited. The purpose of this research work is to help change the perception of employees from seeing performance appraisal as management confrontation activity targeted as generating frustration among employees but to see performance appraisal …
Can this topic “Provisions of Adequate Employment and Regulations for Seafarers in Nigeria” be used for Marine Engineering Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study was carried out to investigate the provisions of adequate employment and regulations for seafarers in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the factors instigating the provisions of adequate employment, evaluate the laid out regulations governing the activities of seafarers and find out if the regulations for seafarers increases the employees’ performance and productivity in Nigerian Ports Authority. The research design used in this report is descriptive design, utilizing questionnaire method to obtain information from the respondents for this project. A total of 200 (two hundred) respondents were selected for this study to represent the entire population of the study. For null hypotheses were formulated and tested using the one-way ANOVA …
Can the material for “Impact of Human Capital on Economic Growth” be used as a guide for Economics Project?
Yes it can be used — A nation cannot experience economic growth without human capital development. For human capital to actually have any impact on economic growth some investment has to be made. Investment in human capital consist of ;education, training, health and other social services, that will help in enhancing productive capacity of labour. This project examines the impact of human capital on economic growth in Nigeria from 1980-2006. The study used the ordinary least square technique(O L S) to determine the relationship between human capital and economic growth. This finding demonstrate the relevance of real gross domestic product in boosting the human capital development through the ratio of student enrollment in schools. …
Is the topic “The Impact of Trade Union and Industrial Relation Practice on Organisational Peace” recommended for Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — In this project work, an attempt has been made to study how the impact of Trade Union andindustrial Relations Practice on Organizational Peace’ and Harmony, using Union bank of Nigeria as a case of Study, As Trade Union implies as a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their working lives. This view pointed out the calibre of people forming Trade Union and the purpose for which Trade Union is established. Therefore, there is the need to evaluate the role of Trade Union and Industrial Relations practice on Organizational Peace and Harmony because Trade Union represents any avenue through which issues relating to workers are discussed. As a result of this, management and …
Can this topic “IPSAS Adoption and Quality of Financial Reporting in the Nigerian Public Sector” be used for Accountancy / Accounting Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — IPSAS ensures high standards which accelerates the provision of credible financial statements. The aim of the study is to examine the International public sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Adoption and Quality of Financial Reporting in the Nigerian Public Sector using Bauchi State Government as a Case Study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the implications of adoption of IPSAS on the quality and reliability of IPSAS-based financial reporting with a view to establish the relevance of IPSAS to the financial reporting of public sector organizations in Nigeria and Federal Secretariat Bauchi in particular, ascertain the extent to which IPSAS’s adoption can help in managing corruption and mismanagement in the Federal Secretariat, and ascertain the …
Is the topic “Description of Cooling Mechanisms Using Water Jet Impingement as Applied to Run-Out Table in Steel Industry” recommended for Mechanical Engineering Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — This seminar work is on the description of run out table system in water jet impingement cooling of hot steel plate. The cooling mechanisms using water jet impingement as applied to run out table in steel industry. In this seminar work, the diagram of water jets impinging on a moving surface within the flow rate region of Run Out Table (ROT) process has been described and analyzed. …