تقدير طلبة الكيمياء بجامعة السلطان قابوس لدرجة اكتسابهم لمهارات العمل المختبري

Abstract EN

This study aimed at investigating the extent of chemistry students’estimate to their acquirement of laboratory skills at Sultan Qaboos University.

For such a study, the following questions were posed: 1- To how extent do chemistry students at (SQU) estimate their acquirement of laboratory skills? 2- What is the difference of students’ estimate of acquirement of laboratory skills according to their colleges, year of study and performance level? The study was based on a questionnaire consisted of (33) statements.

The validity of the questionnaire was conducted by asking panel of experts in science education.

The reliability was calculated using Cronbach alpha for internal consistency giving a value of (0.923).

The population of the study was all the chemistry students registered in the chemistry courses in 2001/2002 academic year, the sample consisted of (155) students.

Using the variance analysis, results revealed no significant differences between students performance according to college, academic year, GPA and bi- and triinteractions between them.

In detail, results showed that the means for statements of college of science students’ estimate of acquiring laboratory skills are higher than those of the college of education students’ estimate.

Third-year students ranked their acquisition of these skills with a little bit higher level than fourth-year students, while fifth-year students ranked their acquisition with a clear high level.

Students estimate did not differ as a result of their GPA except for an increase in the estimate of students with good grade.

Consequently, the study recommends that chemistry courses and programs should be tailored to assist students gaining laboratory skills and to conduct similar studies to shed light on the level of physics and biology students estimation of acquiring such desired practical skills.