An analysis of the physics achievement of non-science majors in selected colleges and universities in Luzon

• Main Author: Calacal, Stanley P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1985
• Subjects: Physics > Study and teaching (Higher); Academic achievement; Physics
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/76
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to determine and compare with the norm group the physics achievement of non-science majors from selected colleges and universities in Luzon. Both descriptive and correlational methods were used in the study. The students' relative strengths and weaknesses were determined in terms of cognitive skill levels and content areas. Significant differences in the physics achievement among the non-science students classified according to degree programs were tested. The relationship between physics achievement and some selected variables were also analyzed. The stepwise regression analysis was utilized to determine which of the eight independent variables in combination would be the best predictors of physics achievement. The subjects of the study were the third year non-science college students from selected universities and colleges in Luzon enrolled in the school year 1984-1985. The respondents consisted of students who have taken at least five units of college physics while working for their bachelor's degrees in Pharmacy, Agriculture, Industrial Education, and Forestry. The PSMC Achievement Test in General Physics for Non-Science Majors were administered to the students. The test consisted of 60 multiple choice items of four options. The items were classified according to content (Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism and Optics) and cognitive skills (Knowledge, Comprehension and Application). The findings of the study revealed that, when compared with the norm group, the 1984-1985 non-science majors were considered relatively strong in physics. However, they needed improvement in the study of Optics. The forestry students had the highest physics achievement among the respondents of the study. The physics achievement of pharmacy, agriculture and industrial education students were not significantly different from the 1983-1984 norm group. Physics achievement (as measured by the PSMC test) was significantly associated with the following factors: college physics average grade, high school physics gr