THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ BIOLOGY LABORATORY SKILL PERFORMANCE AND THEIR COURSE ACHIEVEMENT Cover Image

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ BIOLOGY LABORATORY SKILL PERFORMANCE AND THEIR COURSE ACHIEVEMENT
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ BIOLOGY LABORATORY SKILL PERFORMANCE AND THEIR COURSE ACHIEVEMENT

Author(s): Getachew Fetahi Gobaw, Ifeanyichukwu Atagana Harrison
Subject(s): Education, Higher Education
Published by: Scientia Socialis, UAB
Keywords: high school achievement; practical skill test; undergraduate biology;

Summary/Abstract: The focus of this research study was to investigate the relationship between students’ prior achievement in higher education entrance examination score and their course achievement in undergraduate biology program. It also examined the relationship between students’ high school and college preparatory school biology laboratory experience and their undergraduate biology laboratory skill performance. A correlational study was used. The sample consisted of 55 third year undergraduate biology students. The findings of the study showed that there is significant and positive linear correlation between students’ competences in practical skills and performance in higher education entrance examination scores. There is a significant and a positively linear relationship between the students’ cumulative grade point average (CGPA) with higher education entrance exam scores and biology laboratory skill test score. However, laboratory skill performance test score was not correlated with students’ high school laboratory background and sex. The findings implicated that the Ministry of Education should foster secondary high schools and college preparatory schools to put greater efforts at preparing undergraduate admitted students for students’ better outcome and their retention in universities.

  • Issue Year: 72/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 6-15
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: English