THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE ON SELECTED TOPICS

IN CHEMISTRY OF THE THIRD YEAR STUDENTS

OF LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL

A Thesis Presented to
the Faculty of the Graduate School
Divine Word College of Bangued
Bangued, Abra

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts in Teaching
Major in Science

By

SHERWIN B. ZAPATERO

March 2009
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ENDORSEMENT

This Thesis proposal entitled “THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE

ON SELECTED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY OF THE THIRD YEAR STUDENTS

OF LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL” prepared and submitted by

SHERWIN B. ZAPATERO, in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING SCIENCE, has

been examined and is recommended for acceptance and approval for

final defense.

ELMERITA B. PALCON, MASE

Adviser

____________________________________________________________________

This is to certify that this thesis entitled “THE LEVEL OF

PERFORMANCE ON SELECTED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY OF THE THIRD

YEAR STUDENTS OF LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL” prepared and

submitted by SHERWIN B. ZAPATERO is recommended for final

defense.

LETICIA P. MADRIAGA, Ed.D.

Dean
 iii

APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis entitled:

“THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE ON SELECTED TOPICS IN

CHEMISTRY OF THE THIRD YEAR STUDENTS OF LITTLE FLOWER
HIGH SCHOOL”

prepared and submitted by Sherw in B. Zapatero in partial fulfillment

for the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching Science has been
examined and recommended for acceptance and approval for ORAL
EXAMINATION.

ELMERITA B. PALCON,
MASE
Adviser

Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with a grade of

Passed on March 10 , 2009.

LETICIA P. MADRIAGA, Ed.D.

Chair

EVANGELINE B. ALCOS, MST Physics

Member

FRANCIS CESAR B. BRINGAS, MST Chemistry

Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of

Arts in Teaching Science.

LETICIA P. MADRIAGA, Ed. D.

Dean
 iv

Acknowledgements

The researcher expresses his profound gratitude to the following in making this

study possible.

Rev. Fr. Efren C. Ambre, the Superintendent of the Diocesan Schools of Abra

and at the same time the School Director of Little Flower High School, the

researcher’s director, for his unending support and surmountable encouragement to the

researcher.

Mrs. Elmerita B. Palcon, his thesis adviser, for the patience and constant

assistance and for challenging him to go on despite the disappointments and hectic

schedules.

Dr. Leticia P. Madriaga, Dean of the Graduate School, for her unending

support out of her bulky works and for the corrections and suggestions which gave

clarity and direction to this thesis.

Mrs. Yolanda P. Santiago, Little Flower High School Principal, for her

understanding despite the voluminous work while undertaking this study.

Mr. Francis Cesar B. Bringas (Sir Panchet), Principal of Abra High School and

Assistant Superintendent of DepEd Division of Abra, his panelist, for allowing the

researcher to adopt his questionnaires for this study, lending his thesis as a reference

material, and sharing his ideas for the improvement of this work.

Mrs. Evangeline Alcos, Chairman, College of Teacher Education, ASIST,

Bangued Campus, his panelist for her wise suggestions and comments as to how this

work shall be improved.

 v

Mrs. Evangeline Borja, DWCB Chief Librarian and Mrs. Olivia Tuzon,

DWCB College Librarians for their assistance and willingness in lending his needed

references.

Mr. Gerry Palcon, AB Department Head of DWCB, for his patience and

welcoming the researcher to work in his boarding house.

Mrs. Rachel Peralta, the English critique of the researcher.

Ms. Minerva Joy O. Lanas, his batchmate, for lending her thesis as reference

material of this study and for her encouragement to the researcher.

To Manang Lyn and Manong JR, for their financial and moral support.

To Tatang Carlito and Nanang Brigida, for the undying love, support and

understanding.

To his sisters and brothers, for their willingness in helping the researcher in

many ways.

LFHS Faculty and Staff, for their encouragement and support.

To the third year students of Little Flower High School, his respondents for

answering the questionnaires honestly and willingly.

To his friends for their moral support.

And Above all, the Heavenly Father, who is all giving and who makes all

things possible!
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Thesis Abstract

TITLE: THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE ON SELECTED

TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY OF THE THIRD YEAR
STUDENTS OF LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL

Total Number of Pages: 105

Total number of text: 88

Author: ZAPATERO, SHERWIN BIO

Type of document: Unpublished

Accrediting Institution: Divine Word College of Bangued

Graduate School

Keywords: Level, Conception, Performance, Selected Topics,

Particulate View, Continuous View, Directly observed,

Basic Knowledge, Phases, Properties, Changes,

Composition of Matter

This study aimed to find out the level of performance on selected topics in

Chemistry of the third year students of Little Flower High School during the school

year 2008 – 2009. Specifically, it aimed to determine the profile of the respondents,

the attitudes of the students towards their Chemistry subject, conceptions on selected

topics in Chemistry, level of performance on selected topics in chemistry of the third

year students and if there is significant relationship between the level of performance

of the respondents and the student-related variables.

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The descriptive type of research using the questionnaire was utilized as the

main tool in gathering data. The statistical methods used in this study were the

frequency count, percentage, weighted arithmetic mean and chi-square test. The fish

bowl technique was utilized in selecting the respondents of this study.

The study found out that the attitudes of the third year students towards their

Chemistry subject is highly favorable. The conceptions of respondents on selected

topics in Chemistry particularly on states, properties, changes and composition of

matter was found to be in the observable view rather than on the particulate view.

While the level of performance on selected topics in Chemistry of the third year

students revealed that they have a continuous/ directly observed level of

understanding. Their understanding towards matter is limited to what their five senses

can perceive and imagine and not on the appropriate Science concept supposedly

taken from their Science classes. The level of performance on selected topics in

Chemistry particularly on the properties and changes of matter are significantly

affected by the gender and place of residence of the respondents. While on the states

and compositions of matter and the gender, place of residence and attitudes, there was

no relationship that existed. However, on the level of performance of the students in

the composition of matter and the socio-economic status, there exists a significant

relationship. On the other hand, the attitudes of the students towards their Chemistry

subject and their level of performance on the different selected topics in Chemistry

showed no significant relationship.

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Findings

The study found out that the respondents in this study involved 64 third year

students of Little Flower High School as respondents in which 64.06% of the total

number of respondents are female and the remaining 35.94% are males. Most of the

respondents come from the rural areas comprising 81.25% and 18.75% are from urban

areas. In terms of their socio-economic status, most of the respondents belong to the

low income families, followed by the middle income families and least from the high

income families.

From the result of this study, the attitudes of the respondents towards their

Chemistry subject are highly favorable. This indicated that they have positive attitudes

on motivating, group/participatory, investigatory and reflective attitudes towards their

subject.

On the conceptions of selected topics in Chemistry, it showed that from the

four selected topics in Chemistry which are the states of matter, properties of matter,

changes in matter, and composition of matter, only the composition of matter falls on

the particulate view with a mean of 2.50. They had a higher level of understanding on

the difference between the arrangements of the particles of the objects mentioned

through illustration and diagrams.

Moreover, the respondents’ conceptions on the states of matter, properties of

matter and changes in matter, all fall on the directly observed/continuous view. The

respondents were not able to mention the right effects of the different conditions

presented and their understanding on the basic Science concepts were very limited.
 ix

The overall level of performance of the respondents on selected topics in

Chemistry falls on directly observed/continuous level. They were only limited to what

their senses can perceive through illustrations or diagrams and not on the inner

structure of matter as consisting of particles such as atoms, molecules, or ions

including properties and behavior of these particles. The students’ understanding on

the selected topics in Chemistry was not totally based on scientific concepts that were

supposedly taken from their science classes. They fall short in their explanation on

associating and relating the different situations presented with the basic ideas in

science. In short, they failed to apply these basic concepts in science to the different

questions on selected topics in Chemistry that were asked on this study.

The selected variables in the profiles of the respondents showed slight

variations on the computed weighted mean of the level of performance which is on

continuous view/ directly observed. These three variables have composition of matter

as their highest level of performance for it falls on the particulate view. In general, the

overall level of performance of the students on the four selected topics in Chemistry

with regards to their gender, place of residence and socio-economic status is on the

directly observed/continuous level of matter.

From the study, it was found out that there was no relationship between the

level of performance of the students on the states and compositions of matter and the

gender, place of residence and attitudes towards Chemistry. However, there was a

significant relationship that existed between the levels of performance on the

properties and changes of matter and the gender and place of residence of the
 x

respondents but on the socio-economic status it showed no significant relationship at

all. However, with regards to the level of performance on the selected topics in

Chemistry and the socio-economic status of the respondents, only in the composition

of matter where there is significant relationship. On the attitudes towards Chemistry

and the performance on the selected topics in Chemistry, it was found out that there

was no significant relationship existed. The students’ attitudes do not affect their

understanding on selected topics in Chemistry, no matter how highly favorable the

attitudes towards their subject, it does not mean that they have a high performance on

the particular subject which should be the case.

Conclusions

In view of the findings above, the following conclusions are drawn:

The third year students of Little Flower High School are highly favorable in

their attitudes towards their Chemistry subject.

The conceptions of third year students on the states, properties, changes and

composition of matter were based on the way they understood these concepts in the

ordinary sense. They still relied on the basis of what their senses can perceive not on

the appropriate concepts, theories and ideas that were believed to be taught in their

science classes.

The level of performance on selected topics in Chemistry of the third year

students of Little flower High School falls on directly observed or continuous view

rather than on particulate view of matter. Their explanations were only limited to what
 xi

is observable and not on the inner structure of matter as consisting of particles such as

atoms, molecules, or ions including properties and behavior of these particles. The

students’ understanding on the selected topics in Chemistry was not totally based on

acceptable scientific concepts that were supposedly taken from their Science classes.

They failed to explain, associate and relate the different situations presented with the

basic ideas in science. In other words, they fall short to apply these basic scientific

concepts to the different questions on selected topics in Chemistry that were asked on

this study. However, the selected variables in their profile showed very slight

variations in the performance of the respondents on the four selected topics in

Chemistry.

Among the selected profile of the respondents, it was found out that there was

a significant relationship that existed between the levels of performance on the

properties and changes of matter and the gender and place of residence of the

respondents but on the attitudes towards Chemistry subject it showed no significant

relationship at all. On the states and compositions of matter and the gender, place of

residence and attitudes towards Chemistry it was found out that there was no

relationship that existed. However, on the socio-economic status and the performance

on the selected topics in Chemistry, only the composition of matter showed significant

relationship whereas, the rest showed no relationship at all.

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Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are

outlined:

This research should be conducted to the other Diocesan Schools of Abra in

order to determine the degree of weaknesses of third year students towards Chemistry

in preparation of their national test which is the National Career Assessment

Examination (NCAE).

Science teachers handling Chemistry must maximize the use of illustrations or

diagrams in the explanation of the particulate view of matter rather than focusing only

in the continuous view or directly observed category of matter.

Student’s prior knowledge in basic sciences should be checked through proper

utilization of teaching strategies and instructional aids that will differentiate the basic

knowledge, directly observed, continuous view and particulate view of matter which

will change false beliefs or misconceptions of students.

The study should also be conducted among the Science teachers to determine

the extent of their understanding on the basic concepts in Science, in a way, their

limited understanding on these concepts will be reinforced.

In addition to questionnaires, semi-structured interviews should be carried out

to reinforce the findings in this study.

Other studies on selected topics in Science not only in Chemistry should be

formulated and conducted to determine the degree of performance of secondary

students in both the private and public schools in Abra.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page……………………………………………………….……………… i
Endorsement…………………………………………………………………… ii
Approval Sheet…………………………………………………….………….. iii
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………… iv
Abstract…………………………………………………….…..………………. vi
Table of Contents…………………………………………….…..…………….. xiii
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………….. xvi
List of Figures …………………………………………………………………. xvii
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study…………………………………….. 1
Review of Related Literature and Studies.…………………… 6
Theoretical Framework……………………………………….. 11
Conceptual Framework……………………………….………. 16
Statement of the Problem…………………………….………. 18
Null Hypotheses …………………………………….……….. 19
Scope and Delimitation of the Study………….……………… 20
Significance of the Study …………………....……………….. 21
Operational Definition of Terms…………………………….. 22

Chapter 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design…………………………………….……….. 26
Population and Locale of the Study ……………….………….. 27
Sampling Procedure ………………...…………….…………. 27
Data Gathering Procedure ………………………...…………... 28
Data Gathering Instrument …………...……………………….. 29
Statistical Treatment of Data ………………………………….. 37
Chapter 3 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION OF DATA …………………………….. 39

Chapter 4 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary ……………….…………………………………….. 67
Findings ……………………………………………………….. 67
Conclusions …………………………………………………… 70
Recommendations …………………………………………… 72
REFERENCES ..…………………………………………………….………. 74
APPENDICES
A. Letter to the Abra Diocesan Schools Superintendent…………….. 79
B. Letter to the Director of Little Flower High School ………...…...... 80
 xiv

C. Student Profile Questionnaire………………………..…………….. 81

D. Test Questions…………………………………..….………........... 83
E. Profile of Respondents……….. ….……………………….……… 85
F. Summary on Students’ Scores on the Level of

Performance and Conceptions on Selected Topics in Chemistry….. 86

G. Summary of Students Scores on their

Attitudes Towards Chemistry ……………………………………. 87

CURRICULUM VITAE …………….…………………….………………… 88
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List of Tables

Table Page
1.0 Motivating Attitudes of the Third Year Students of
Little Flower High School towards Chemistry ……………….. 43

1.1 Group/Participatory Attitudes of the Third Year Students of

Little Flower High School towards Chemistry............................ 44
1.2 Investigatory Attitudes of the Third Year Students of
Little Flower High School towards Chemistry ……........……... 45

1.3 Reflective Attitudes of the Third Year Students of

Little Flower High School towards Chemistry……………..….. 46

1.4 Summary Table of the Attitudes of

Respondents towards Chemistry……………….……...………. 47

2 Conceptions of Respondents on Selected

Topics in Chemistry …………………………….……....…….. 49

2.1 Conceptions of Respondents by Gender ……………………… 51

2.2 Conceptions of Respondents by Place of Residence………….. 53

2.3 Conceptions of Respondents by Socio-Economic Status 55

3.0 Level Performance of Respondents on Selected Topics

in Chemistry in terms of their Gender ………………..………. 58
3.1 Level of Performance of Respondents on Selected Topics
in Chemistry in terms of their Place Residence ………….……. 59

3.2 Level of Performance of Respondents on Selected Topics in

Chemistry in terms of their Socio-Economic Status ……...…... 61

3.3 Summary Table of the Level of Performance of Respondents

on Selected Topics in Chemistry ……………………………… 62

4 Correlation Using the Chi-Square Values

Between the Level of Performance on Selected Topics
in Chemistry of Respondents and
Student-Related Variables …………………………………….. 64
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List of Figures

1 Research Paradigm …………………………………..………. 17

1.a Gender Profile of Respondents ………………………………. 40

1.b Place of Residence of Respondents …………………….……. 40

1.c Socio-Economic Status ……………………………...……….. 41