ABSTRACT
The study investigated the influence of laboratory method of teaching chemistry concepts and students’ academic performance in Calabar Municipality. To achieve this aim three research questions were formulated to guide the study which were translated to three null hypothesis. The design adopted for this research work is quasi-experimental design (Post Test only) since there was no pretest, only posttest scores were used. Two groups were involved in the study (experimental and control groups). The experimental group was taught with laboratory method while the control subjects were taught with conventional method. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Kudar-Richardson formula (KR-20) which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.87 respectively. Data was analyzed using independent t-test statistics. Finding revealed that there is a significant influence of the use of laboratory method and students’ academic performance in chemistry. It was concluded that laboratory method have positive effect on students’ learning outcomes. It is recommended that teachers should constantly use laboratory activities to enhance chemistry learning.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title page – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Declaration – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – v
Table of contents – – – – – – – vi
List of tables – – – – – – – viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background of study – – – – – 1
1.2 Theoretical Framework – – – – – 7
1.3 Statement of the problem – – – – – 10
1.4 Purpose of the study – – – – – 11
1.5 Research question – – – – – – 12
1.6 Research hypotheses – – – – – 12
1.7 Research assumptions – – – – – 13
1.8 Significance of the study – – – – – 13
1.9 Scope of the study – – – – – – 14
1.10 Limitation of the study – – – – – 15
- Definition of terms – – – – – 15
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – 16
2.1 Laboratory methods of teaching and students’
academic performance – – – – – 16
2.2 Gender and students’ academic performance in
Chemistry 23
2.3 School location and students’ academic performance
in Chemistry – – – – – – 26
2.4 Summary of literature review – – – – 29
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Research design – – – – – – 31
3.2 Area of the study – – – – – – 31
3.3 Population of the study – – – – – 32
3.4 Sampling techniques – – – – – 32
3.5 The sample – – – – – – – 33
3.6 Instrumentation – – – – – – 34
3.6.1 Validation of instrument – – – – – 34
3.6.2 Reliability of instrument – – – – – 35
- Procedure for data collection – – – – 36
3.8 Procedure for data analysis – – – – 37
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 General description of research variables – – 39
4.2 Hypothesis-by-hypothesis presentation of results – 41
- Discussion of findings – – – – – 44
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of the study – – – – – 50
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 51
5.3 Recommendation – – – – – 52
5.4 Suggestion of further research – – – – 53
REFERENCES – – – – – – – 54
APPENDICEs – – – – – – – 61
