ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors responsible for poor performance in chemistry students in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were posed; subsequent three null hypotheses were formulated from the research questions to direct the study. Literature was reviewed on the hypotheses directing the study- survey research design was adopted for the study. A total sample of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the sample random sample random sampling techniques. As a rentable tool for data collection four point questionnaire was the instrument used. It was constructed by the researcher under the supervisors guide that gave it face and content validity.
The questionnaire was successfully administered by the researcher and collected upon completing to test the hypotheses and to ascertain whether to accept or reject them, the independent t test analysis, and Pearson product moment correlation analysis were considered the most appropriate statistical technique employed to test the hypotheses, because of one nature of analysis involved in the hypotheses directing the study. All hypotheses were subjected to testing at 0.05 level of significance with critical values and degree of freedom. The result of the analysis indicates that students related factors, home related factors and school related factors are responsible for poor academic performance in Chemistry. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations and suggestions for further studies were made.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The factors affecting academic performance of students in Chemistry include the student’s attitude, classrooms, libraries, technical workshops, laboratories, teachers’ quality, school management, teaching methods, peers, etc are factors that has role to play when it comes to students’ academic performance. (Ajayi, 2001 and Oluchukwu, 2000). Hansen (2000) said that: Student’s performance depends on many factors such as learning facilities, gender and age differences etc that can affect student’s performance. A study effort from student and the proper use of the facilities provided by the institution to the student, a good match between student’s learning styles and are positively affect the student’s performance.
Chemistry as one of the science disciplines is indispensable to the scientific and technological development of any nation. The study of Chemistry has been and will remain of enormous benefit to man-kind because of the vivid explanation it gives on natural phenomena and everyday life occurrences. The role of Chemistry in technological and national development has been acknowledged the world-over. (Udofia & Udo, 2006). The teaching of Chemistry helps the students to comprehend the world around them and also better prepare them to improve on it.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The performance of Chemistry in secondary schools in Wamba Local Government Area in recent decades has been rapidly dropping; the trend shows there is speed downfall of performance in chemistry and other science subjects especially in secondary schools. And the failures in science subjects may results into shortage of science experts like doctors, engineers, and teachers. Therefore there is a need to investigate on what are the root factors responsible for poor performance in chemistry students, and how to eradicate the problem. Hence this study will investigate on the factors responsible for poor performance in chemistry students in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
