Analysis of Errors Committed by Physics Students in Secondary Schools in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria - Volume 6 - Issue 1 - 2013 Abstract

Oct 15, 2026

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The study investigates the types of errors committed by senior secondary school physics students in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria, and examines how gender influences the error type. Six schools were purposively selected and 155 students’ scripts were randomly sampled. Joint Mock physics essay questions (JMPEQ) and an error identification and classification index (REICI) were used. Reliability for REICI scores was 0.78, and frequency counts, means, percentages, and chi-square analyzed the data. Four error types emerged, and male students committed significantly more errors than female students.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Research Framework

Background on physics and technology development

Mistakes vs errors (conceptual framework)

Assessment context: WAEC physics examinations

Purpose and scope of the present study

Volume 6, Number 1, 2013 ANALYSIS OF ERRORS COMMITTED BY PHYSICS STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA Esther Ore Omosewo, Abdulrasaq Oladimeji Akanbi Abstract. The study attempt to find out the types of error committed and influence of gender on the type of error committed by senior secondary school physics students in metropolis. Six (6) schools were purposively chosen for the study. One hundred and fifty five students' scripts were randomly sampled for the study. Joint Mock physics essay questions (JMPEQ) for SS3 physics students, and researchers prepared error identification and classification and index (REICI) were used as the instruments. The reliability coefficient of REICI scores was 0.78. Frequency counts, means percentages and chi-square were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that four types of errors were committed by students this include Operational errors, Defective Algorithms, Random errors and computational error. The total frequency of errors committed by male students was significantly higher than that of their female students. It was recommended that physics teachers should explore pedagogic techniques towards minimizing the occurrence of wrong operations, computational errors, defective algorithms, and random errors. Keywords: Operational errors, Defective Algorithms, Random errors and computational error. 1. Introduction and Research Framework It has been recognized that the path to national development is through technological development. There can however be no meaningful technology development without a very solid foundation in the sciences, especially physics, chemistry and biology. These subjects are very important to prospective scientists, engineers, science educators, e.t.c. This can improve the manpower requirement for the national developments in the areas mentioned above. Modern technology leans heavily on physics (Williams, 1990) . It is the increasing understanding of physics, which led to the electrical power industry, radio, television, radar, and other means of electrical and electronics communication. This applies to electric lighting and heating too. In medicine today, many of the instruments for diagnosis and therapy are application of physics such as x-ray, radioisotopes, and electrocardiograph. Engineering Technology is responsible for space flight, rocketry, satellites communication systems, which are all application of physics. The development of modern supersonic of aircraft is an obvious application of the principle of physics. Despite the importance of these subjects to the development of a nation both male and female students performed poorly in physics. The achievement of students in science in Nigeria has remained consistently poor over the years (Eze 2003; Aprebo, 2003; Betiku 2003; Betiku 2001.) Some reasons have been attributed to be responsible for students under achievement in schools, these includes methods of studying, intelligence, gender, motivation, attitudes, science teachers and their attitudes, self-adequacy, influence of parents and misunderstood word (Abimbola, 2013; Akanbi, 2001; Balogun, 1999; Craker, 2006; Dieck, 1997; Mattern & Schau, 2002; Normah & Salleh, 2006; Onah & Ugwu, 2010 ) . Similarly, FME (2009) observed that low enrolment retention and transition at the basic education level; inadequate and obsolete infrastructure/equipment; inadequate number of competent teachers and weak leadership are some of the variables hampering teaching/learning of science. These factors could negatively affect the teaching/learning processes among students and hence could influence commission of errors. Brown, 2004 differentiate between mistakes and errors which are technically two very different phenomena. Brown,(2004) also maintains that a mistake can be self-corrected, but an error cannot. Therefore, it could be corrected by the writer, if given the time to do so, or when they are slightly poin

FAQs

What objective does the study address?

The study identifies the types of errors committed by senior secondary school physics students and evaluates whether gender affects the type of errors committed.

How were data and instruments collected?

Six schools were purposively chosen, and 155 students’ scripts were randomly sampled. Joint Mock physics essay questions (JMPEQ) and REICI were used to identify and classify errors.

What error types were found, and do they vary by gender?

Four error types were identified: Operational errors, Defective Algorithms, Random errors, and computational error. Male students committed significantly more errors than female students.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Putri