CHAPTER 1
PROBLEM AND RESEARCH DESIGN
Introduction
Scientific literacy means that a person can ask, find or
determine answer to questioned derived from curiosity about everyday
experience. Scientific literacy entails being able to read with
understanding articles about science in the popular press and to
engage in social conversation about the validity of the conclusions. A
definition by the University of Nebraska (2018) explains that science
literacy is an enhanced capacity, both at the individual and collective
levels, to make effective discussion grounded in Science and
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-informed analysis of
complex, real-word challengers.
In the study of Murat Genci, (2015) entitled “The Effect of
scientific Studies on Students’ Scientific Literacy and Attitude” the
author concluded that the students voice their opinions about scientific
issues in a debate setting. Today Studies which are based on
constructivism should be done, but problem-solving skills, creativity
and scientific literacy levels should be developed in the students as
well, the self-confidence and personal development of the students will
be supported and increased. Moreover, Ozdemir and Ustundag (2007)
stated that the creative drama method helped students grow in their
scientific literacy. Akilli (2008) stated that scientific literacy plays an
important role in science classes as they involve the teaching of deep
and complex concepts. Scientific literacy has an impact on the
behaviour of students, as to their academic achievements in their
lessons. Thus addresses the current needs highlighting the concrete
ideological ideas and abstract theory. According to Mr Anastacio
Martinez, Ph.D. the principal of Butuan Doctors’ College, the grade 12
students of Butuan Doctors’ College-Senior High School are
moderately scientifically literate. The researchers have based on the
student’s grades taken from their teachers that they are not really
scientifically literate but not all, some might to be scientifically literate.
The purpose of this study is to give awareness to students for
them to know where they are missing out. Also, give them a better
understanding, what science literacy means, and the importance of it.
This research aims to help the students to be scientifically literate, and
to determine what holds them back to be one.
Theoretical framework
Cunningham & Helm (1998) suggests that the community plays
an important role in the social nature of science. Many scientists form
alliances and belong to various associations which provide a forum for
the sharing of information. Such a setting allows scientists to
collaborate on scientific ideas and keep abreast of the rapidly changing
nature of science. This networking process may also be used by
scientists as a means of procuring equipment, funding and other
material needed for their research. It helps to generate support for
scientists‟ and their research so that it is accepted by the wider
community as new scientific knowledge. Likewise, students form small
groups when conducting experiments in the laboratory in order to share
ideas, advice and data. This allows them to produce more reliable
results and to recognize that there may be many possible solutions to a
given problem.
Conceptual Framework
This study was guided by a conceptual framework which
presents the independent and the dependent variables of the study.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLE
Learning facilities Level of Scientific literacy of
grade 12 students of Butuan
Academic Achievement
Doctors’ College
Interest/preferences
Co-curricular activity
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the Conceptual Framework of the
study
The figure shows the independent variables which are learning
facilities, academic achievement, interest and preference, and co-
curricular activities. The dependent variable which is the factor to the
level of scientific literacy of grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’
College.
Hypothesis
On the basis of the study, the researchers formulated the
hypothesis as tested at 0.05 level of significance.
HO. There is no significant difference between the scientific
literacy of grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College Senior High
Department.
Significance of the Study
This study is also beneficial to the following individuals:
Students. The students would benefit this study to understand
the procedural knowledge and skills of science. And to play an
important role in achieving the goal of science education.
Teachers. This study would help the teachers to educate the
students in school only to prepare them in the field of scientific literacy
and to develop their own positive attitudes towards science.
Schools. This study would help the school to provide the needs
of the students and also to the teachers, in giving an emphasis of the
curricular with aspects of the daily life of their students and teachers.
Future researchers. This study would help the future
researchers are to give information about scientific literacy to individual
at same time to teach individual how problem are solve.
Scope and Delimitations
Content. The study will determine the level of scientific literacy
of grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College Senior High
Department. The dependent variables are independent variables which
are learning facilities, academic achievement, interest and preference,
and co-curricular activities.
Respondents and Place. The respondents of the study are all
grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College Senior High School.
Period. The study will be conducted from Second Semester,
School Year 2018-2019.
Definition of terms
Co-curricular activity. Extra mathematical and scientific
activities held by the school that are participated by the grade 12
students of Butuan Doctors’ College Senior High Department.
Scientific literacy. Is the capacity to use scientific knowledge,
to identify questions and to draw evidence-based conclusions in order
to understand and help make decisions about the natural world and the
changes made to it through human activity.
Knowledge. The ability and skills needed to perform in the
scientific field.
Cultural Literacy. Knowledge and beliefs developed from
cultural influence.
Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This study was supported by related literature and studies
from books, journals, and electronic sources. The information serves
as the basis of the research study.
Related Studies
Foreign
The physical environment consists of many interacting variables
that we are all aware of such as class size, spatial density, location &
noise, acoustics & noise, secluded study spaces, ambient
temperatures and air quality. According to Lackney (2000) Assessing
School Facilities for Learning/Assessing the Impact of the Physical
Environment on the Educational Process: Integrating Theoretical
Issues with Practical Concerns the environmental qualities at each site
that contributes most to students' performance. To assess the
building's manifest functional characteristics with respect to basic
educational activity is the objective here and an assessment of
educational adequacy is made against pre-determined criteria like
adequate space requirements generated by experts. These factors will
affect a student thus a school must develop a process of continuous
improvement within each school site.
According to Lyons (2001), entitled Do School Facilities Really
Impact a Child's Education? IssueTrak: A CEFPI Brief on Educational
Facility Issue, it has been said, "A good teacher can teach anywhere,"
a growing body of research literature also strongly suggests a direct
relation between the condition and utility of the school facility and
learning. The classroom is the most important area within a school. It is
here that students spend most of their time, hopefully in an
environment conducive to learning. Learning in the classroom requires
a reasonable level of concentration, listening, writing, and reading.
Individual classrooms and entire facilities need to be evaluated, not
only on how they meet changing educational requirements, but also on
how they meet the environmental requirements for health, safety, and
security. His study concluded that there is a relationship between a
school buildings and student achievement, it found out that student
achievement found higher test scores for students learning in better
buildings and lower scores for students learning in substandard
buildings.
As concluded by Gençi (2015) in his study entitled The Effect of
Scientific Studies on Students Scientific Literacy and Attitude It is
extremely important to provide more open environments for students
where they can express their thoughts and feelings. The creation of
debate opportunities supports and encourages the personal
development and creativity of students. In this study, the students
voiced their opinions about scientific issues in a debate setting. Today,
scientific literacy has gained great importance, and it seeks to
systematically enable students. Studies which are based on
constructivism should be done, but problem-solving skills, creativity
and scientific literacy levels should be developed in the students as
well. In this way, the self-confidence and personal development of the
students will be supported and increased.
In the study of Darlington (2017) entitled Understanding and
Developing Student Interest in Science: An Investigation of 14-16 year-
old Students in England University College London the results of his
study the level of student interest in learning science-related topics in
most subjects (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Human Biology, Astronomy,
and Geology) is shown to have a significant positive relationship with
scientific literacy. Students who are one unit more interested in
Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy are predicted to achieve more than
10 units in scientific literacy. Particularly in Chemistry, when students’
interest in learning this subject increases by one level, their scientific
literacy increases by 18.32 units. Chemistry courses are the major
factor that affects students’ learning in science more than other
subjects. Students who reported less interest in chemistry courses
performed weakly in their scientific literacy.
According to Darlington H. (2017) entitled Understanding and
Developing Student Interest in Science: An Investigation of 14-16 year-
old Students in England University College London the overall
rationale for increasing interest in science lessons is to enhance
students’ awareness and appreciation of the scientific endeavour and
the knowledge and understanding of the world that has resulted over
the centuries. This rationale includes the ways in which students
perceive and value the place of science in their culture and the
contributions scientists have made to improving society and the quality
of life that we all experience. In the context of school science, students’
levels of interest are often assessed using narrower criteria, namely
student attainment in science subjects and the number of them
choosing to continue with their science education leading to a career in
science or a science-related field.
In the study of Huang (2010) entitled A Multilevel Analysis of
Scientific Literacy: The Effects of Students Sex, Students’ Interest in
Learning Science, and School Characteristics students’ interest in
learning science is related to their scientific literacy significantly.
Students who have a higher interest in learning the subjects of physics,
chemistry, human biology, astronomy, and geology are predicted to
achieve higher science scores than those students who have less
interest in learning these subjects. Nevertheless, students who show
higher interests in learning the biology of the plants or the ways
scientists design experiments are predicted to achieve lower scores in
science.
In the study of Storey, K. (2010) entitled Bridging the Gap:
Linking Co-Curricular Activities to Student Learning Outcomes in
Community College Students Community College Leadership
Cocurricular activities can help to enhance formalized learning when
measured with defined institutional student learning outcomes. If
community colleges can provide co-curricular activities relevant to its
specific student learners and academic programs, it can help to
enhance the achievement of student learning outcomes. As cited by
Storey in her study Chickering‘s Theory of Identity Development
supports the role of co-curricular activities as both complements to
classroom learning and to students‘ identity development. If more
community college professionals were to recognize the academic value
of cocurricular activities in enhancing classroom learning, more
opportunities could be created to support a thriving student learning
experience throughout the entire campus.
The results of Kisango’s study (2016) entitled Factors
Influencing Students’ Participation In Co-Curricular Activities in Public
Secondary Schools in Lamu County Kenya stated that curricular
activities does have an influenced the students‟ development. He
recommended the following: (a) Students should be encouraged to
engage in various co-curricular activities such as joining social clubs,
religious clubs and sporting groups to develop their total personality for
the outside world. (b) Parents should be positive about co-curricular
activities in schools and encourage their children to participate in them
as some may make a career out of them. They should shun away from
the popular believe that they can only succeed in life if they only excel
in academics. (c) Schools and relevant authorities should hold
seminars and training sessions for students in co-curricular activities to
broaden their career choices. This will ensure that students make
informed choices and have right attitudes towards co-curricular
activities.
Local
The study of Ebora (2016) entitled Academic Performance in
Physics of Fourth Year High School Students In one Public High
School in Batangas City,Phillipines recommended that in order to
increase the performance of students, laboratory and result of
achievement test the teacher should use strategies and methods that
will be suited to the needs of the students. Trainings should be
conducted to enhance the student’s abilities in writing science
investigatory project. Utilizing cooperative learning approach in
performing laboratory activities would provide active involvement of the
students in the completion of the tasks.
According to the study of Ombra A. Imam, Maripaz Abas
Mastura, 0078Hajri Jamil and Zurida Ismail (2014) entitled Reading
Comprehension Skills And Performance In Science Among High
School Students In The Philippines Students need to develop scientific
literacy in order to participate fully as citizens, community members,
and in the globalised economy. The DepEd with the support of school
administrators and funding institutions should commission a separate
study to determine strong significant determinants of students’
performance in science that would guide DepEd officials, policy
makers, school managers and teachers in changing the future of
science learning and achievement in the Philippines. The scientific
literacy of a student relies on how well their academic achievement
specifically to science and math subjects performances.
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The researchers used the descriptive method of research
design. Descriptive research design describe the nature of the
phenomenon under investigation which involves the process of
collecting presenting analyzing and interpreting of data on the Scientific
Literacy of Grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College.
Research Setting/Locale
The study was conducted at Butuan Doctors’ College JC.
Aquino, Butuan City located at Estacio Village, Victoria Ave, Butuan
City, Agusan Del Norte which is headed by Maria Katrina M. Estacio,
DMD, and MBA as the school’s administrative and Dr. Anastacio P.
Martinez, Ph. D as the Senior High School principal. It is a 280 m away
from Robinson’s Place Butuan to Butuan Doctors’ College and also a
280 m away from Dotties H Butuan Doctors’ College is a 2-storey
concrete building and has a floor made of hardwood planks. The
Senior High School has a total population of 127 students, consisting
68 grade 11 and 59 grade 12.
Respondents of the Study
This study was utilized simple random sampling procedure.
Each student is chosen entirely by chance and each member of the
population has equal chance of being included in the sample.
Grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College Senior High
School has a total of 60 students. Out of 60 were computed from
Slovin’s Formula and they were selected through simple random
method.
Slovin’s Formula:
𝑵
𝒏 = 𝟏+𝑵𝒆𝟐
Where:
n= number of samples
N= total population
e= error tolerance
Research Instrument
The researcher was used self-made questionnaire as the main
tool in gathering data. The questionnaire has twenty questions. The
respondents would select their answer by placing check mark on the
space that represent their best answer that are categories as “T” for
true, capital “X” for I do not know and
the capital “F” for false.
Data Gathering Procedure
The researchers were observed the following step-by-step
procedure in the data collection.
Request for Approval to conduct the study. A letter of
request was sent to the School Principal of Butuan Doctors’ College
Senior High School, Dr. Anastacio P. Martinez, Ph. D seeking
permission to conduct a survey on the preference of grade 12 students
on Scientific Literacy of Grade 12 students of Butuan Doctors’ College
Senior High Department.
Distribution of Questionnaire. The researchers was personally
distributed the questionnaires to the respondents in their perspective
rooms. They will be given enough time to answer the questions.
Retrieval of Questionnaire. The questionnaire was retrieved by
the researcher’s right after the respondents answered the
questionnaires.
Consolidation of data. The data that was collected will be
checked, tallied, analyzed and interpreted with the application of the
appropriate statistical tools.
Statistical Techniques
To quantify the responses and to provide tools for testing the
null hypothesis, the following statistical techniques will be used.
Weighted Mean. This tool is used to determine the central
locations of the distribution using the Dichotomous Scales with the
following numerical and verbal rating as shown in table (..). This would
be used to determine the level of scientific literacy of grade 12 students
of Butuan Doctors College Senior High School Department.
Formula:
∑ 𝑓𝑥
𝑥̅ =
𝑁
Where:
𝑥̅ = Mean
∑ = Summation of Respondents
F= Frequency of respondents
X= Numerical Rating
Numerical rating Ranging of means Verbal Description
3 2.36 - 3 True
2 1.66 – 2.35 False
1 1-1.65 I do not know
Chapter 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA
STATEMENT T F X
WM VD
1. China uses rewards and punishments to enforce
a one-child limit to each family to help with 24 4 26 1.96 False
population control
2. The current world population is five billion and 11 18 25 1.74 False
counting.
3. Soil is a mixture of biotic and abiotic and 24 2 28 1.92 False
counting.
4. Doctors did not wash their hands when treating 7 27 20 1.75 False
patients even for surgery until The Germ Theory of
Disease was developed during the Industrial
Revolution.
5. The population growth rate has recently started 4 22 28 1.55 I Don’t
to decline. know
6. Total fertility rates have started to increase 27 6 21 2.11 False
globally.
7. Technology has only positive impacts on the 6 33 15 1.83 False
environment
8. Annually the likelihood of death is greater from 12 8 34 1.59 I Don’t
being struck by lightning than by being hit by a Know
meteorite.
9. Malaria can only be spread by the bite of a 27 6 21 2.11 False
female Anopheles mosquito.
10. Eradicating mosquitoes can also reduce the 13 10 31 2.66 True
risk of cholera.
11. Excessive use of alcohol may cause mental 36 4 14 2.40 True
retardation and birth defects in developing embryos
and fetuses.
12. Furniture, carpets and foam insulation in your 11 5 38 1.05 I Don’t
house contains the pollutant formaldehyde and has Know
the potential to cause respiratory inflammation and
cancer.
13. The most popular fruit in the world is apple. 27 9 18 2.16 False
14. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness. 20 10 24 1.92 False
15. Beef requires more feed, water, land, and 10 4 40 1.44 I Don’t
energy to produce than any other animal food Know
product that we consume.
16. The honey bee is a common pollinator whose 21 7 26 1.90 False
population is declining due to pesticide use.
17. The site of the world’s worst nuclear incident 11 5 38 1.05 I Don’t
occurred in Chernobyl, Russia in 1986. Know
18. Countries with recent widespread transmission 9 8 37 1.48 I Don’t
of AIDS are Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Know
19. Genetically manipulating plants by adding 10 4 40 1.44 I Don’t
multiple genes for the same or different traits, such Know
as higher yield and herbicide tolerance is called
trait stacking.
20. The first genetically modified food to receive 23 2 30 1.90 False
approval from the FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) in the U.S. was corn.
Total 333 194 554 1.79 False
Average of Weighted Mean 1.79 False
Interpretation. The table shows the distribution of the
respondents as to the scientific literacy of grade 12 Senior High School
students. The questionnaire contained twenty particulars and has a
total weighted mean of 1.79 with “false” as its verbal description. The
question number 1,2,3,4,6,7,9,13,14,16,20 has a verbal description of
false and has weighted mean between 1.66-2.35. The questions
number 11, has a verbal description ‘’true’’ and has weighted mean
between 2.35-3. The questions number 5,8,12,15,17,18, and 19 has
verbal description ‘’I do not know’’ and has weighted mean between 1-
1.65.
Analysis. The weighted mean distribution of the respondents as
to the scientific literacy of Grade 12 Senior High School Students
obtained an average of 1.79 with a verbal description of ‘‘false”.