Abstract:
The pre-test, post-test small group control experiment with an element of descriptive survey
study was used to examine the effects of group learning on college students’ understanding
of chemical concepts in science. The study was conducted at Bagabaga College of
Education, Tamale. A total of 102 first year students were used for the study.
Test and survey questionnaire were the main instruments used for the study. These consisted
of Chemical Concepts Achievement Pre-test (CCAPrT); Chemical Concepts Achievement
Post-test (CCAPoT); Chemical Concepts Retention Test CCRT as well as Pre-Attitude test
(PrAT) and Post-Attitude test (PoAT). These were developed by the author for the purpose
of this study. The test items consisted of 40 questions while the survey questionnaires
contained 24 items.
University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh
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The data obtained were analysed using t-test to determine if there were significant
differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of performance and
retention at 0.05 confidence level, while the Levene’s test for equality of variances was used
to investigate the differences in research question 3 at 0.05 confidence level. The t-test
analysis of the results showed that there was no significant difference between the control
and experimental groups in terms of performance in the pre-test but, there was significant
difference between the two groups in the post-test in favour of the experimental group after
the treatment.
Also, analysis of the post-test and retention-test mean scores of the control and
experimental groups showed that the experimental group’s level of retention was higher
than that of the control group. Again, analysis of pre-attitude test and post-attitude test
mean scores showed significant difference, indicating that the students had improved upon
their attitudes towards the learning of chemistry after the intervention.
Description:
A RESEARCH THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE
OF MASTER OF SCIENCE EDUCATION (CHEMISTRY)
University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh
DECEMBER, 2011.