BAJON, RIMAMSOMTE HABU

PG/M. Ed/12/62379

EFFECT OF MODE OF LABORATORY WORK ON

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY IN JALINGO

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA

STATE

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

Azuka Ijomah

Digitally Signed by: Content managers Name

DN : CN = Webmasters name

O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka

OU = Innovation Centre

TITLE PAGE

EFFECT OF MODE OF LABORATORY WORK ON SENIOR

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOLOGY

IN JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE

A MASTERS PROJECT PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

SCIENCE EDUCATION, FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY

OF NIGERIA NSUKKA IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT

FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS DEGREE (M.Ed) IN SCIENCE

EDUCATION

BY

BAJON, RIMAMSOMTE HABU

PG/ M.Ed/2012/62379

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

AUGUST, 2015

CERTIFICATION

BAJON, RIMAMSOMTE HABU, a postgraduate student of the Department of Science

Education with Registration Number PG/M.Ed/12/62379 has satisfactorily completed the

requirements for award of the degree in Masters in Science Education. The work embodied in this

project is original and has not been submitted in part or full for any other Degree of this or any

other university.

Bajon, Rimamsomte Habu Prof. U. M. Nzewi

REG NO: PG/M.Ed/12/62379 Supervisor

APPROVAL PAGE

This project has been approved for the Department of Science Education, University of

Nigeria, Nsukka.

By

Prof. U. M. Nzewi External Examiner

Supervisor

Internal Examiner Prof. Z. C. Njoku

Head of Department

Prof. Uju C. Umo

Dean of Faculty

DEDICATION

This research is dedicated to the almighty God for his grace and inspiration throughout the

period of this study.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My immeasurable gratitude goes to God Almighty for His infinite mercies and

protection throughout the course of this programme. My profound gratitude also goes to my

supervisor, Prof. U. M. Nzewi for her wonderful guidance, careful and thorough supervision

of this work. I also thank Prof. A. Nwosu, Dr. L. N. Nworgu, Prof. B. G. Nworgu. Dr. E. Ibe,

Dr. N. Anyegbunam and Dr. C. R. Nwagbo for taking pain to read this work at various

stages, my thanks also go to all the academic and non-academic staff of the Department of

Science Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka for their encouragements and supports

towards the completion of this study.

My sincere thanks go to Dr. Queendaline C. Ibenegbu and Mr. Chris Ugwuanyi for

their inexhaustible guidance, support and encouragement towards the completion of this

study. I also thank the Research Assistants for spending their precious time to ensure the

success of the study.

My special thanks go to my late parents who made me what I am today. I am grateful

to my brothers Bako, Rimamkanati, Ayuba, Gado and Asa for their financial and emotional

supports and endless prayers for me.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

CERTIFICATION ii

APPROVAL PAGE iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLES x

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 8

Purpose of the Study 9

Significance of the Study 9

Scope of the Study 10

Research Questions 11

Hypotheses 11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 12

Conceptual Framework 13

The Laboratory in Science Teaching and Learning 13

Organization in Laboratory Work 20

Concept of Academic Achievement in Science 29

Gender in Science Education 33

Theoretical Framework 37

Piagets Cognitive Constructivist Theory 37

Vygotskys Constructivist Social Learning Theory 38

Review of Empirical Studies 40

Studies on Laboratory Work in Science Education 40

Studies on Students Achievement in Science 42

Studies on Gender and students Academic Achievement 48

Summary of Literature Review 51

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD 54

Design of the Study 54

Area of the Study 55

Population of the Study 55

Sample and Sampling Technique 55

Instruments for Data Collection 56

Validation of the Instruments 56

Reliability of the Instruments 57

Experimental Procedure 57

Training of Research Assistant 58

Control of Extraneous Variables 58

Method of Data Analysis 59

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 60

Research Question One 60

Research Question Two 61

Research Question Three 62

Hypothesis One 63

Hypothesis Two 63

Hypothesis Three 64

Summary of Findings 64

CHAPTER FIVE: Discussion, Conclusion, Implications,

Recommendations and Summary 65

Discussion 65

Conclusion 67

Educational Implications 68

Recommendations 69

Limitations of the Study 69

Suggestions for Further Study 70

Summary of the Study 70

REFERENCES 72

APPENDICES 82

APPENDICES

A. Lesson Note Based on Group and Individual Laboratory Work 82

B. Table of Specification/Test Blue Print of (BAT)

121

C. Biology Achievement Test (BAT) 122

X

X

D. Marking Scheme 132

E. Reliability of the Instruments 133

LIST OF TABLES