Determining Factors in Secondary School Students’ Choice of Physics

Abstract

Using survey research approach, the predictive power of certain characteristics of physics curriculum, social factors, as well as some students‟ characteristics (11 predictor variables) on choice of physics were assessed. The study involved 384 students randomly selected from 14 public senior secondary schools in Ibadan Educational Zone I, Oyo State, Nigeria. The data generated from their responses to the “Assessing students‟ choice of physics” questionnaire were analyzed using standard multiple regression. Results showed that 6.9% of the variability observed in the students‟ choice of physics could be attributed to a linear combination of the examined predictor variables. Availability of functional science clubs in schools as well as membership of such clubs seemed to be important predictors of choice of physics. The needs for proper guidance and counselling services as well as strengthening of science clubs in schools were stressed. Keywords: predictors of students‟ choice of physics,