Effect of project method on performance of students in social studies in junior secondary schools

Thesis Abstract

The study examined the effect of project method on the performance of students in Social studies in junior secondary schools in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The study was carried out with the objectives to; determine the difference between the performances of students taught social studies using project method and those taught with conventional method in junior secondary schools in Jigawa state; examine the extent to which gender difference affect the performance of students taught social studies using project method in junior secondary schools in Jigawa state; and compare the performance of students taught social studies using project method in rural and urban junior secondary schools in Jigawa state. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were postulated in line with the stated objectives. The study was conducted using quasi-experimental research design. The study used a target population of 12,380 JSSII students from Dutse education zone in Jigawa State. The total of fifty-two (52) students were sampled as experimental group, while sixty-five (65) students were sampled for the control group making the total of one hundred and seventeen (117) students, comprising of seventy-two (72) male and forty-five (45) female students. Data for the study was collected through the pre-test, treatment and post-test using a teacher made instrument (Test), which consisted of 30 objective test items and a treatment package. Data collected were analyzed statistically through the use of the descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics of independent sample t-test. It was found that, there was significant difference in the performances of students taught social studies using project method and those taught with conventional method in junior secondary schools in Jigawa State and there was no significant difference in the extent to which gender difference affect the performance of students taught social studies using project method in junior secondary schools in Jigawa State among other finding. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that project method should be incorporated into the teaching of Social studies at the secondary school level since it stimulate students to effectively learn and retain the concepts presented to them. Teachers should ensure they plan their lessons with equal learning opportunity for both male and female students in junior secondary schools in Jigawa State.