STUDENTS ATTITUDE TOWARDS LABORATORY WORK AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The study deals with student attitude towards laboratory work and its impact on academic performance in chemistry in The University of Benin, Edo State. Four levels of students studying Chemistry in the university were involved in the study. Attention was paid to a close examination of three selected factors which are assumed, affected students attitude towards chemistry laboratory work.

1. Chemistry student quality and availability of the chemistry laboratory equipment.
2. The teachers quality, qualification and experience and personality.
3. The amount of time or period spent on laboratory work.

The main instrument used for the research was mainly students questionnaire. The questionnaire were administered by the investigator. The main statistical method used were simple percentage and the analyses of the data collected revealed the following:

1. Like and dislike of chemistry laboratory work in majority of the cases is due to the influence of the teacher (laboratory equipments)
2. In some cases, students like laboratory work due to the influences of their teacher.
3. Most of the student show positive attitude towards chemistry laboratory work.

Also from the study, student attitude towards laboratory work has influence on their academic programme. Teachers and parents are advised by the investigator to make it a matter of duty to encourage and direct their children towards development of positive attitude in laboratory work in particular and chemistry in general.