The Relationship between Performance in Mathematics and Physics at Kcse Level in Kenyan Secondary Schools (Case Study Nandi East District-Rift Valley Province)

ABSTRACT 

Mathematics is a vital part of solving many Physics problems. It is a universal language that could often condense a complicated conceptual problem into a simple relationship between variables. Mathematics teaching should enhance pupils' learning of Physics. On the other hand concepts learnt in Physics should enhance the understanding of some concepts in Mathematics. Factors influencing students' full participation in learning of Physics are the attitude towards Physics, students' perceptions of the relevance of Science, students' perception of Physics as difficult, teachers' perception of Physics as difficult and the language used in teaching and learning. Studies have shown that students' attitude towards Mathematics is influenced by many factors such as sex differences, socio-economic standing and students' perception on the prior performance in Mathematics. A survey was used to show the relationship between performance in Mathematics and Physics at KCSE level in Nandi East District. The population of this study was all the high schools within the Nandi East District. A sample for this study was 14 secondary schools within Nandi East. This sample was chosen using stratified random sampling. The data was collected by investigating the relevant areas of study through the interview guides. The data gathered was analyzed using SPSS software for correlation and other statistical coefficients. The researcher found out that the majority of the respondents were females, majority of the schools were boarding schools and that the majority of the schools had career guidance and counseling services. This helped the students in dealing with any difficulties faced in the subjects. Unfortunately the female students had a negative attitude towards some subjects than their male counterparts as more male students were doing Physics than females. The researcher also concluded that Physics was perceived as the most difficult subject to study by the students in secondary schools, there was a strong correlation (relationship) between Mathematics and Physics. Also schools should have guidance and counseling services in order to ensure that the students have the awareness of the subjects and how they can influence their future careers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ II

APPROVAL .. ...... ............................................................ ...................................... ........... 11I

DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. IV

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................. V

ABB RE VIA TI ONS ........................................................................................................... VI

LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... VII

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... VII

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................. .IX

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... XII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background to the problem under study ................................................................................................... I

1.2 Statement of the problem .............................................................................................. ............................ 5

1.3 Purpose of the study .......................................................... ....................... ............................................. .... 7

1.4 The Research objectives ........................................................................................................................... 7

1.5 The Research Questions ....................................... .................................................................................... 8

1.6 Significance of the study .......................................................................................................................... 8

1.7 Limitations, Delimitations and Scope of the Study .................................................................................. 9

1.7.1 Limitations of Study ................................... : ..................................................................................... 9

1.7.2 Delimitations ofthe Study .......... .......................... ............................................................................ 9

1.7.3 Scope of the study ................................................................................... .......................................... 9

1.8 Assumptions of the study .......................................................................................................................... 9

1.9 Organization of the Study ......................................................................................................................... 9

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 10

2.1 Introduction .. .......................................................................................................................................... 10

2.2 Factors Influencing Performance in Physics ........................................................................................... 14

2.2. 1 Attitude towards Physics .......................... .............. .................... ........... .......................................... 14

2.2.2 Students Perceptions of Relevance of Science ..................................... ........................................... 16

2.2.3 Students Perceptions of Physics as Difficult ................. .................................................................. 17

2.2.4 Teachers' Perception of the Difficulty of Physics ........................................................................... 18

2.2.5 Language, Teaching and Learning .................................................................................................. 19

2.3 Factors influencing attitudes towards Mathematics ................................................................................ 20

2.3.1 Sex Differences and Socio Economics status: ................................................................................ 20

Conceptual Framework .................................................................................... ............................................. 23

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLES .............................. 24

(APPERY JANET, 2009) ................................................................................................ 24

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................... 24

3.1 Research Design ..................................................................................................................................... 24

3.2 Population .................................... .............................................................................. ........................ ..... 24

Sample Size .................................................................................................................................................. 24

3.4 Data collection ........................................................................................................................................ 25

3.5 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS .............................................. 26

4.1 Introduction ..................... ......................................... .............................................................................. 26

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .. 39

5.1 Findings ................................................................. ................................................................................. 39

5.2 Conclusions .......................................................................... ...................... ............................................ 40

5.3 Recommendations ..... .............................................................................................................................. 40

5.4 Suggestions for further study ............................................... ........................................ ........................... 40

REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 41

APPENDICIES ................................................................................................................. 44

Appendix II: Interview Guide ................................................ ................. ...................................................... 45

Appendix II: Budget and Estimates .............................................................................................................. 46

Appendix Ill: Work Plan 2008 ..................................................................................................................... 47