TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title Page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - i

 Declaration ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ii 

Certification ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -iii 

Dedication ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - iv 

Acknowledgements - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - v 

Table of Content --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vi 

Abbreviations - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ix 

List of Tables - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x 

List of Appendices - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xi 

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - xiv 

Chapter ONE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 

1.1.Introduction - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 

1.2.Statement of the Problem - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 9

 1.3 Objectives of the Study - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 10 

1.4 Research Questions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 11 

1.5 Null Hypotheses --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 11 

1.6 Significance of the Study - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 12 

1.7 Basic Assumptions - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 13 

1.8 Scope and Delimitation of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 13 

Chapter TWO

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -14

LITERATURE REVIEW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - -14

2.1 Introduction - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 14 

2.2 Teaching Biology at Secondary School ----------------------------------------------------------------------14 

2.3 Instructional Materials of Biology Teaching -----------------------------------------------------------------15 

2.4 The Use of Indoor Laboratory in the Teaching of Biology ----------------------------------------------19 

2.5 Improvisation of Biology Teaching Materials ---------------------------------------------------------------21 

2.6 Science Teaching Methods - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 23 

2.7 Academic Achievement in Biology -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 

2.8 Gender and Academic Achievement in Science---------------------------------------------------------31 

2.9 Retention Abilities in Biology --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 33 

2.9.1 Overview of Related Studies ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 35 

2.9.2 Implications of Literature Reviewed for the Present Study ---------------------------------------37 

Chapter THREE

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -40

METHODOLOGY  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -40

3.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 

3.2 Research Design - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 40 

3.3 Population of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 41 

3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 43 

3.5.1 Instrumentation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 44 

3.5.2 Validity of Instrument ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 44 

3.5.3 Pilot Test - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 45 

3.5.4 Reliability of Instrument - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 46 

3.5.5 Administration of Instrument - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - 46 

3.6 Procedure for Data Analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 46 

Chapter FOUR

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -48

DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS-----------------------------------------------------------48 

4.1 Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 48 

4.2 Testing Null Hypothesis One --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - 49 

4.3 Testing Null Hypothesis Two - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - 50 

4.4 Testing Null Hypothesis Three ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 52 

4.5 Testing Null Hypothesis Four ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - 52 

4.6 Summary of Findings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 54 

4.7 Discussion of Findings - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 54 

Chapter FIVE

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -57

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS--------------------------------------------------57

5.1 Introduction - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------57 

5.2 Summary - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 57 

5.3 Major Findings - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 58 

5.4 Conclusions - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - 59 

5.5 Recommendations - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 60 

5.6 Limitations of the Study - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 60 

5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - - 61 

REFERENCES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 62

 APPENDICES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - 68