CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF PHYSICSPHOBIA AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT IN PHYSICS

Authors

  • Deborah. T. A. Obafemi Department of Science Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  • Betty-Ruth Ngozi Iruloh Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v9i4.4258

Keywords:

physics, Physicsphobia, causes, effects, secondary school, students

Abstract

This study investigated the presence, causes and effects of Physicsphobia among Senior Secondary School physics students in Rivers State. The study had a descriptive survey design. Three research questions guided the study. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select 500 Senior Secondary 1 and 2 (SS1 and SS2) Physics students from forty-four (44) schools in three Local Government Areas of Rivers State, which are Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt Local Government Area and Gokana Local Government Area. The research instrument was a validated researcher-developed questionnaire titled ‘Students’ Physicsphobia Questionnaire’ with a reliability coefficient of 0.79 obtained using the Cronbach alpha formula. The findings of this study showed that Physicsphobia exists in students. The study further revealed some of the causes of Physicsphobia to be rumors and misleading information about Physics, teaching method, the uninteresting nature of physics lessons, as well as abstract, difficult and mathematical nature of Physics. The study also revealed some of the effects of Physicsphobia in students to be anxiety, rapid heartbeat, frustration, depression and a feeling of leaving Physics class. It was then recommended that conscious effort should be made to paint a better picture of physics, especially for students who are about to start the study of Physics.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Deborah. T. A. Obafemi, Department of Science Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Deborah Temidayo Abiola Obafemi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Masters in Science Education and a PhD degree in Science Education specializing in Physics Education. She is a registered professional teacher certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and has taught Physics, Basic Science and Mathematics for about two decades in Secondary Schools. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science Education at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Her research interests include Physics and Science Education, Environmental and Climate change education, and e-learning. She has acquired competencies in Curriculum development and evaluation, Open and Distance e-Learning, ICT and Research techniques.

  • Betty-Ruth Ngozi Iruloh, Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Betty-Ruth Ngozi Iruloh is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Her area of specialization is Guidance and Counselling.

References

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Published

2022-04-28

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Articles

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