The nature of reading comprehension in the physical sciences (chemistry) among entering engineering students

• Main Author: Ong, Elizabeth S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1984
• Subjects: Reading comprehension; Physical sciences; Chemistry; Engineering students
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/612
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study involves a research on the nature of reading comprehension in science education (physical sciences) in general, but using chemistry materials in particular among entering college students. One hundred seventy-five entering college freshmen taking up engineering courses in four technological colleges in Region III were used as subjects of the study. To verify the nature of reading comprehension in the physical sciences, data were gathered from the testing materials, interview and questionnaires. During the first testing period, a silent reading test and four cognitive tests were administered. A follow questionnaire was fielded to the students used in this study to review their reading practices. During the second testing period, two sets of teacher-made tests were administered. A follow interview was conducted in each class to assess the reading required in the physical sciences. Factor analysis, multiple regression analysis and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data gathered. The study revealed that reading comprehension in physical sciences is a composite of several subskills. Vocabulary proficiency and logical reasoning proficiency were the two factors involved in reading comprehension as studied in this context. It also revealed that the cognitive tests, Test for Abstract Thinking and Words in Science Philippines were the best predictors among the cognitive tests given. An interaction was found between reading ability and the computational ability of the sample students.