Samuel Agamber’s scientific contributions

This research investigated the possibility of enhancing senior secondary school students’ academic performance irrespective of gender in analytical chemistry concept using Collaborative-Predict-Explain-Observe-Explain (CPEOE). The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Analytical Chemistry Attention Inventory (ACAI) and Analytical Chemistry Performance Test (ACPT) were the instruments used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability index of ACAI which gave reliability value of 0.87. The internal consistency of ACPT was tested using Kuder-Richardson (KR-21) formula which yielded a reliability value of 0.96. The population was 7,152 SS2 students offering chemistry in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 157 students drawn from 3 schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed among others, that there was no significant difference between the mean attention rating of male and female students taught analytical chemistry {F1, 78 = 1.020, P>0.05}. It was also revealed that that there is no significant difference between the mean academic performance of male and female students taught analytical chemistry using CPEOE {F1, 78 = 4.890, P>0.05}. It was recommended among others that since CPEOE is not gender sensitive. Hence, both male and female students should be involved in CPEOE classroom to enhance their attention and academic performance in analytical chemistry. Serving teachers should be encouraged to use CPEOE in teaching analytical chemistry concepts.

The study investigated if frequent practical work could enhance senior secondary two (SS2) students' motivation and self-efficacy belief in solving Biology related problem. A sample of 141 Senior Secondary 2 Students from three government-approved schools in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State Nigeria was used. The study adopted non-equivalent quasi-experimental research design. The instruments used for data collection was Biology Motivation Questionnaire (BMQ) and Biology Self-Efficacy Belief Scale (BSEBS) with the reliability value of 0.86 and 0.89 using Cronbach Alpha respectively. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using Analysis of Covariance. The study revealed that there is significant difference in the mean motivation scores among students in the harmonized, intermediate, and control groups [F 2, 135 =368.100, P<0.05].It was also found that there is significant difference in the mean self-efficacy belief scores among students in the harmonized, intermediate, and control groups[F 2, 135 =376.009, P<0.05].It is recommended among others that teachers should be encouraged to use frequent practical to enhance students' motivation and self-efficacy belief in solving Biology related problem. Workshops and seminars should be organized for biology teachers to keep them abreast of the practical work. This will enable them to plan and organize adequately for practical work.

In this study, the effect of gender on students' interest in standard mixture separation techniques using ethnochemistry teaching approach was investigated. A sample of 198 students from six purposively selected secondary schools out of a population of 3,706 Senior Secondary I students from Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria was used for the study. The study adopted non-equivalent quasi-experimental research design. The instrument used for data collection was Separation Techniques Interest Inventory (STII) with the reliability value of 0.84 using Kuder-Richardson (KR-21). Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using Analysis of Covariance.The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean interest scores between male and female students taught standard mixture separation techniques using ethnochemistry approach; [F(1,97) = 6.300, P>0.050]. It also found no significant interaction effect between methods and gender on the mean interest scores of students in standard mixture separation techniques; [F(1,197) =0.318, P>0.050]. It was recommended that both male and female students should be involved in ethnochemistry and chemistry curriculum should be restructured to reflect Nigerian culture (indigenous chemistry practices) in order to enhance both male and female students' interest.

The study examined if frequency of practical work has effect on psychomotor skill acquisition of senior secondary two (SS2) Biology students. A sample of (N = 228) Students from three government-approved schools in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State Nigeria was used. Psychomotor Skill Assessment Test (PSAT) with reliability coefficient of 0.95 was used to collect data. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer research question while analysis of covariance was used to analised data for testing the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that there was significant difference in skills acquisition among the harmonized, intermediate and the control groups; F 2 , 221 = 111.978; p= .000<.05. It is recommended among others that teachers should endeavour to organize practical work for students as frequently as possible so as to develop in the students the practical skills required for final examination and other career developments in later life.