ABSTRACT
In Kenya, the performance of secondary school students in physics is a matter of great concern to
the Ministry of Education because physics is among the key subjects expected to make Kenya
realize vision 2030. The performance at secondary school level has been poor for a long time. It is
possible that gender influences performance of physics as a subject since there is a long standing
belief that physics is a domain of male students. This study focused on the Influence of Gender and
Perceptions of Motivating Factors on Students’ Achievement in secondary school physics in
Tinderet Sub-county, Kenya. The theoretical framework adopted for this was Self-worth theory
which suggests that people whether male or female are largely motivated to do what it takes to
enhance their reputation in various areas. The research design used for the study was cross
sectional survey. The study population was the physics students in the public secondary schools
within the study area. It was based on a sample of 300 physics students in form four. Multi-stage
sampling was applied in the study to ensure that all types of students were well represented in the
study. Data was collected using closed-ended questionnaires and a physics achievement test
administered to the students. The validity of the questionnaires and the achievement test were
established by three lecturers involved in research because of their vast experience in supervision
of post graduate studies. The reliability of the questionnaires were established through a piloting
process undertaken on the basis of a sample of 15 students in Nandi East Sub-county and was
estimated using Cronbach’s co-efficient test. The questionnaires were dully modified to the
required standards before they were used to collect data. The data was coded, edited and analyzed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences on basis of descriptive and inferential statistics. All
the findings were subjected to significance testing at an alpha level of 0.05.The study added some
knowledge to the empirical research by revealing that boys performed better than girls in the
Physics achievement test. Factors that were significant in influencing students’ achievement in
Physics were: school type, career expectations, love for Physics and student gender. The study also
established that access to text books and lab facilities were very significant in motivating students
towards achievement in Physics. Other factors that motivated students were other students’ cooperation,
students’ obedience/ discipline and love for Physics. The study recommends that there is
need for schools to encourage girls towards performing better in Physics through active guiding
and counseling departments. Motivation factors such as access to text books and lab facilities
should be enhanced so as to improve the performance of secondary schools in Tinderet Sub-
County. The findings may provide a solution to the unbalanced performance in physics at KCSE
level. It would also be of benefit to secondary school teachers and students in planning, setting and
implementing performance targets in physics.
Barasa, J (2021). Influence Of Gender And Perceptions Of Motivating Factors On Student’ Achievement In Secondary School Physics In Tinderet Sub-County, Kenya.. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/influence-of-gender-and-perceptions-of-motivating-factors-on-student-achievement-in-secondary-school-physics-in-tinderet-sub-county-kenya-1
Barasa, Joseck "Influence Of Gender And Perceptions Of Motivating Factors On Student’ Achievement In Secondary School Physics In Tinderet Sub-County, Kenya." Afribary. Afribary, 15 May. 2021, https://track.afribary.com/works/influence-of-gender-and-perceptions-of-motivating-factors-on-student-achievement-in-secondary-school-physics-in-tinderet-sub-county-kenya-1. Accessed 06 Nov. 2024.
Barasa, Joseck . "Influence Of Gender And Perceptions Of Motivating Factors On Student’ Achievement In Secondary School Physics In Tinderet Sub-County, Kenya.". Afribary, Afribary, 15 May. 2021. Web. 06 Nov. 2024. < https://track.afribary.com/works/influence-of-gender-and-perceptions-of-motivating-factors-on-student-achievement-in-secondary-school-physics-in-tinderet-sub-county-kenya-1 >.
Barasa, Joseck . "Influence Of Gender And Perceptions Of Motivating Factors On Student’ Achievement In Secondary School Physics In Tinderet Sub-County, Kenya." Afribary (2021). Accessed November 06, 2024. https://track.afribary.com/works/influence-of-gender-and-perceptions-of-motivating-factors-on-student-achievement-in-secondary-school-physics-in-tinderet-sub-county-kenya-1