International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Effects of Guided Discovery Method on Students’ Attitude to, and Achievement in Biology in Senior Secondary Schools, Bauchi State

Dr. R.G Dajal, Mohammed, Adamu Umar

Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: – This study investigated the effects of guided discovery method on students ’attitude to and academic achievement in biology in senior secondary schools, Bauchi state. Two research questions were raised and two null hypotheses were formulated. The research design was quasi experimental non- equivalent control group; the study was carried out in two randomly selected co-educational secondary schools in Bauchi state. The sample size of 94 biology students from two randomly selected intact classes in the sampled schools was used. The instruments for data collection were Biology Achievement Test (BAT) and Biology Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ). Descriptive statistics were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses. The results of the analysis showed that there was significant difference between the mean achievement scores of experimental group and control group; there was no significant difference between the mean achievement scores of male and female students in the experimental group. There was a significant difference between the mean attitude scores of experimental group and control group and there was no significant difference between the mean attitude scores of male and female students in experimental group. Based on the study it was concluded that guided discovery method has positive effect on students’ achievement as well as improving their attitude towards biology and it is gender friendly. Based on the findings, it is recommended that among others that seminars, workshops and conferences should be held for biology teachers to acquaint them with the knowledge of guided discovery method and they should be encouraged to use it in their classroom teaching.

I. INTRODUCTION

Science is the bedrock on which modern day technological breakthrough is hinged. Different authors have defined Science according to their own understanding. Igwe (2003) defined science as a systematic study of the nature of the behaviour of the material and physical universe through observation, experimentation, measurement and recording. In addition, Ogunleye (2006) defined Science as a dynamic human activity concerned with understanding the workings of our world. This understanding helps man to know more about the universe