| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to determine the determinants of girls' performance in science subjects in public secondary schools in Nyatiekio zone, Kisii Central District Kisii county. The study was based on the connectionism theory advanced by Thorndike. According to the theory, learning is the result of associations formed between stimuli and responses. Such associations or habits become strengthened or weakened by the nature and frfquency of the stimulus-response pairings. Therefore learning requires both practice and rewards .Transfer of learning occurs because of previously encountered situations. The study targeted all girls in form 3 and 4 in Nyatieko zone in the 7 secondary public schools and according to the records in the schools, 480 girls were in form 3 and 4 in the schools.Therefore the 480 girls formed the study's target population. Sample size for the study was, 241 drawn from the total target population of 480 girls from the 7 schools in the Zone drawn by random sampling technique from the target population as shown in Krejcie and Morgan's sample size. The study design was an ex-post-facto research; which is where the researcher measures changes or differences which have already occurred. In this design the researcher does not have direct control over the independent variables. The researcher consulted with his colleagues and experts to establish the validity of the measurement instrument. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, containing both structured and unstructured questions which were used to collect primary data. The raw data collected was organized systematically so as to facilitate analysis. Data collected was checked for consistency and then coded with regard to the type and source. Data was analyzed and interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively in light of the research objectives. Analysis of data was conducted with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software for windows and Microsoft Excel 2007 computer software whereby data collected was coded and fed to the computer. programme for easy analysis. Qualitative statistical techniques were used to describe and summarize data. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics (frequencies, Percentages and mean). The analyzed data was presented in the form of tables and graphs. The study findings indicated that self-efficacy, attitude, family background and school factors determine performance of girls in sciences. To enhance performance of girls in sciences the study recommended a high self-efficacy towards the sciences is required, attitude of the girls to the sciences should be enhanced by the teachers and their parents and the Ministry of education to ensure the schools have science laboratories that are equipped with apparatus and reagents to be used in practical lessons and it should recruit more science teachers. | en_US |
