ERROR COMMITTED BY BIOLOGY STUDENTS AND THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ZARIA.

Jibrin Gagdi Adamu, Muhammad Nurudeen, Yusuf Aminu, I. Muhammad

Abstract


This paper investigated the relationship between frequencies of errors committed and academic achievement by science and non-science Biology students at the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Zaria metropolis. Descriptive research design, survey method was employed. A total of 684 SS III students randomly selected from Secondary Schools in Zaria Educational Zone were the sample for the study. The instrument used for data collection was Biology Test for Identification of Students Error Types (BTISET). This was adopted from WAEC 2005 May/June Biology Essay Questions and the marking scheme. A model for the classification of errors committed by students into types as proposed by Suydam (1985) was also employed. Data obtained were analyzed using t-test statistics. Findings showed that there is a significant difference in academic achievement between science and the non-science students with the science students committing fewer errors and achieving higher. It was recommended based on the findings that placement of students into science and non-science disciplines should be as prescribed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004). 


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