The Effects of Science Research Based Competitions on High School Students‟ Responses to Science Nita Siti Raudhah Amri PhD Thesis The University of York Department of Education March 2012 Abstract The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of Science Research Based Competitions (SRBCs) on high school students‟ responses to science. SRBCs were primarily designed to develop students‟ interest in science, their motivation for science learning and their science reasoning in order to provide a platform for students to show potential for carrying out research in science. But, despite their popularity, little research has so far been undertaken to evaluate the effects of SRBCs. The study explores the effects of SRBCs on students‟ responses to science from the perspective of three different groups of people: key informants (government staff, SRBC funders), teachers and students. A series of case studies was carried out in six residential schools in Malaysia. Data were gathered from four key informants, six teachers and 360 sixteen-year-old student participants, divided into six groups, in Form 4 of secondary school. Students‟ responses to science were explored in a number of ways. Data on attitudes towards science were gathered through the Relevance of Science Education (ROSE) questionnaire, and the findings are compared with those of the ROSE National Survey Data for Malaysia carried out in 2004. Additional data were gathered through interviews with students and from student diaries. Students in residential schools showed more positive responses to science in a number of areas when compared with the ROSE National Survey Data. In particular, students expressed a preference for jobs which favoured recognition after accomplishing challenges, and which offered creative tasks. In contrast, they shared similar views to those found in the national survey towards school science. The study indicates that SRBCs deepen students‟ interest in pursuing science and create an ability to apply knowledge which is related to it. The students i reported that science is much more enjoyable when it involves autonomous learning and research activity. Students were influenced by their mentors (the teachers running the SRBCs in their schools), the types of project and the degree of external involvement. The teachers reported positive developments in their students‟ science processing skills, and their knowledge and awareness of science in general. The students also developed confidence in time management, communication and handling stress along with the project. This represents a revealing insight into the views of the three main components of SRBCs; the organisers/sponsors, the practitioners and the participants. ii Table of Contents Abstract..................................................................................................................... (i) Table of Contents .................................................................................................... (iii) List of Tables .........................................................................................................(viii) List of Figures ......................................................................................................... (ix) Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. (x) Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 The Current Global Science and Technology Scenario ........................................ 1 1.2 The Science and Technology Scenario in Malaysia ............................................. 6 1.3 Science Research-Based Competitions (SRBCs) .............................................. 12 1.4 Fully Residential Schools (FRS) in Malaysia ...................................................... 14 1.4.1 A historical perspective ................................................................................... 14 1.4.2 The objectives of FRSs ................................................................................... 15 1.4.3 Types and system ........................................................................................... 15 1.5 The significance of this study ............................................................................. 19 1.6 Aims and questions of this study ........................................................................ 19 1.7 Limitations of this study ...................................................................................... 22 1.8 The structure of this study .................................................................................. 22 Chapter 2: Attitudes towards Science Overview .................................................................................................................. 24 2.1 Definition ............................................................................................................ 25 2.2 Issues Emerging ................................................................................................ 26 2.2.1 Measuring attitudes towards science ............................................................... 27 2.2.2 Definition ......................................................................................................... 29 2.3 Factors Affecting Students‟ Attitudes to School Science and Science ................ 30 2.3.1 Attitudes towards school science .................................................................... 31 2.3.2 Attitudes towards science ................................................................................ 36 2.4 Key Findings ...................................................................................................... 39 2.4.1 Learning school science .................................................................................. 39 2.4.2 Choosing a career in science and technology ................................................. 41 2.4.3 Values related to science and technology ....................................................... 42 2.4.4 The image of science .................................................................................... 43 2.5 The implications of the study .............................................................................. 49 iii Chapter 3: Science Competitions Overview .................................................................................................................. 52 3.1 The History of Science Competitions .................................................................. 53 3.2 The Aim of Science Research Based Competitions ........................................... 60 3.3 The Effects of Science Research Based Competitions ....................................... 62 3.3.1 Segregating students‟ talents .......................................................................... 62 3.3.2 The value added skills ..................................................................................... 64 3.3.3 Interest in science and research ...................................................................... 68 3.3.4 Future career choice ....................................................................................... 69 3.4 Issues associated with Science Research Based Competitions ......................... 70 Chapter 4: The Methodology Overview .................................................................................................................. 72 4.1 Data Collection ................................................................................................... 73 4.1.1 Sampling Strategy ........................................................................................... 79 4.1.2 Achieved Sample ............................................................................................ 82 4.1.3 Logistics and Practicalities .............................................................................. 84 4.2 The Questionnaire .............................................................................................. 84 4.2.1 ROSE Background .......................................................................................... 85 4.2.2 Rationale ......................................................................................................... 87 4.2.3 The Instrument and Rationale ......................................................................... 88 4.2.3.1 Demographic Data ........................................................................................... 89 4.2.4 Analysis of the quantitative data ...................................................................... 89 4.3 The Interviews and Students‟ Diaries ................................................................. 91 4.3.1 Interviews ........................................................................................................ 91 4.3.1.1 Key informants ...................................................................................... 94 4.3.1.2 Teachers ............................................................................................... 95 4.3.1.3 Students ................................................................................................ 96 4.3.1.4 Analysis of the interviews ...................................................................... 96 4.3.2 Students‟ Diaries ............................................................................................. 97 4.4 Construction of Key Measures ........................................................................... 99 Chapter 5: Aspirations for SRBC: