EFFECTS OF PROBLEM SOLVING INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN ECOLOGY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT COGNITIVE PREFERENCES IN ZARIA EDUCATIONAL ZONE

• TABLE OF CONTENT                           PAGESDeclaration------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iiCertification ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Dedication --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv Acknowledgement ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------v Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------vi Definition of terms -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii List of abbreviation and Symbols ---------------------------------------------------------------------------viii 

Chapter ONE

INTRODUCTION

• 1.1Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------1 1.
• 1.1Theoretical Framework ----------------------------------------------------------------- 13 
• 1.2Statement of the Problem ---------------------------------------------------------------- 16 
• 1.3Objectives of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------17 
• 1.4Research Questions ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 
• 1.5Null Hypotheses --------------------------------------------------------------------------------19 
• 1.6Significance of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 
• 1.7Delimitation of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21 

Chapter TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• 242.1Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24 
• 2.2Cognitive Preferences --------------------------------------------------------------------------------24 
• 2.3Problem Solving as a Strategy of Instruction ----------------------------------------------------24 
• 2.4Cognitive Strategies in Science Education -------------------------------------------------------26 
• 2.5Retention -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 
• 2.6Link Between Problem Solving and Cognitive Preferences----------------------------------- 34 
• 2.7The Problem of Teaching Ecology in Secondary Schools ---------------------------------------35 
• 2.8Problem Solving Instructional Strategies ------------------------------------------------------------ 42 
• 2.9Review of Similar Studies ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------48 
• 2.10Implication of Literature Reviewed for this Study---------------------------------------------------50 

Chapter THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• 513.1Introduction -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• 523.2Research Design --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52 
• 3.3The Population ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53 
• 3.4Sample and Sampling Procedure ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55 
• 3.5Instrumentation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 3.
• 5.1Cognitive Preference Test (CPT) Ecology ----------------------------------------------------------- 58 3.
• 5.2Ecology Achievement Test (EAT) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 59 
• 3.6Pilot Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60 3.
• 6.1Validation of the Instruments (C.P.T) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 61 
• 3.7Validity and Reliability of the Instruments -------------------------------------------------------------- 62 3.
• 7.1Validity --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63 3.
• 7.2Reliability of the Instruments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 63 
• 3.8Selection of Ecology Concepts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63 
• 3.9Treatment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64 
• 3.10Administration of Instruments ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64 
• 3.11Methods of Data Analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66  

Chapter FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

• ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION------------------------------------------68 
• 4.1Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 68 
• 4.2Data Analysis and Results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 68 
• 4.3Discussion of Results ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 77 

Chapter FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION-----------
• 865.1Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86 
• 5.2Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86 
• 5.3Summary of Findings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 87 
• 5.4Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 88 
• 5.5Implications of the Findings for Science Education ---------------------------------------------------- 90 
• 5.6Recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 91 
• 5.7Limitation of the study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92 
• 5.8Suggestions for Further Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92 REFERENCES: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 94