Difficulties Encountered by Secondary School Physics Students in Answering Mathematical Related Physics Questions

Abstract

The paper investigated difficulties secondary school physics students encountered in answering mathematical related physics questions in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State. The design used descriptive survey in carrying out this study was descriptive survey, four research questions were raised. The population of the study was all SS2 Physics students from Senior Secondary Schools in Njikoka L.G.A. The schools were stratified into male and female. Five (5) selected Senior Secondary schools for males and three (3) senior secondary schools for females totaling seventy two(72) students of intact classes. The questionnaire was constructed to illucidate answers based on students’ factor, teacher factor and Environmental factor. Data were collected through distribution of questionnaire developed by the researcher. A test re-test statistics was used for reliability of the instrument and the co-efficient of reliability was obtained to be 0.89, using Pearson Product movement of correlation. The research questions were answered using Likert’s scale of very often (4), often (3), rarely (2) very rarely (1).The study revealed that some students do not have interest in learning physics due to the fact that physics is a difficult and abstract subject. Some are of the view that no matter what they do, they cannot answer mathematical related physics questions. Also it was revealed that Teacher factor, such as method of teaching physics, non-mastery of learning techniques, lack of inquiry method through practicals, personality and experience bring about the inability of secondary school students in answering mathematical related physics questions. Other factors such as environmental and age factors are equally revealed to hinder the ability of secondary school physics students in answering mathematical related physics questions.