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GV Research Proposal

Research

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28 views9 pages

GV Research Proposal

Research

Uploaded by

Rolli Cleo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TOPIC

Examining how learners in Harare are failing to pass the Ordinary Level Combined Science especially
those from high density areas like Glenview. Glenview High 2 Case Study

1
Introduction
The low pass rates in Ordinary Level Combined Science at Glenview High 2 have been a persistent
challenge, reflecting a broader trend in Zimbabwe’s educational landscape. Despite the importance of
Combined Science as a core subject in the national curriculum, pass rates have remained below
satisfactory levels for the past few years. This issue has significant implications for students' future
academic and career prospects, especially in science-related fields and its not usually acceptable for
such incidence to occur in Urban areas. It can be suspected that it might be an issue of limited
resources, infrastructure challenges, social and economic factors, but specific causes remain unclear.
Thus, this study aims to identify the underlying factors contributing to low performance in Combined
Science, with the goal of recommending interventions to enhance student outcomes.

Definitions Of Key Terms

1. Pass Rate

Definition: The percentage of students successfully completing an academic examination at a specified


standard. Pass rates reflect critical academic performance indicators (Matshabane, 2015)

2. Research

Definition: A systematic investigation conducted to discover, interpret, and develop knowledge or


theories through scientific methods. Research is the cornerstone of knowledge generation and
understanding (Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. 2018).

3. Combined Science

Definition: An integrated academic discipline combining multiple scientific fields such as biology,
chemistry, and physics into a comprehensive curriculum.Combined science provides a holistic approach
to scientific understanding (Woolnough, 2011).

4. Provincial

Definition: Relating to or characteristic of a specific administrative region or province within a national


administrative structure. Provincial systems play a crucial role in educational governance(Jansen, 2012)

2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A statement of the problemis a concise description of an issue or challenge that a research project aims
to address, highlighting the gap between the current state and the desired state.(Creswell, J. W, 2014).

Statement of the Problem:

Despite its importance, Combined Science has one of the lowest pass rates at Glenview High 2, leaving
students from high-density areas at a disadvantage in pursuing science-related careers. The root causes
of this underperformance remain largely unidentified, raising concerns over whether limited resources,
teaching methods, or socio-economic factors are to blame. This study seeks to pinpoint specific
challenges that Glenview students face in Combined Science, aiming to address gaps that hinder their
academic progress and future opportunities in the sciences.

3
MAIN RESEARCH QUESTION

Main Research Question Definition:

The main research question is the central, overarching inquiry that shapes the focus and purpose of a
study, guiding the entire research process. It frames the fundamental problem the research aims to
address, directing both the methodological choices and analysis. According to Maxwell (2013), "The
main research question provides a lens through which the study's core issues are examined and
understood" (p. 49).

MAIN RESEARCH QUESTION

What factors contribute to the low pass rates in Ordinary Level Combined Science among students at
Glenview High 2 in high-density areas?

4
SUB- QUESTIONS

Sub-questions are more specific inquiries that dissect the main research question into smaller
components. Effective sub-questions create a strategic roadmap for comprehensive research" (Ravitch
& Carl, 2016).

Sub-Questions:

1. How do resource limitations at Glenview High 2 impact students’ performance in Combined Science?

2. In what ways do socio-economic factors affect students’ ability to succeed in Combined Science?

3. What teaching methods are currently being used in Combined Science classes, and how effective are
they in improving student comprehension and engagement?

SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

Significance of the Study:

5
This study is crucial as it aims to uncover the causes behind low pass rates in Combined Science at
Glenview High 2, which impacts students' future opportunities in science. By identifying key challenges,
the research can guide improvements in teaching practices and resource allocation, supporting better
science education for students in high-density areas and enhancing their academic and career prospects.

StakeHolders

Significance to Stakeholders:

1. Educators

This study will help teachers understand the specific barriers their students face in Combined Science,
enabling them to adjust their teaching methods to better address students' needs and improve
comprehension and engagement.

2. School Administrators

For school leaders, the findings will highlight areas needing resource enhancement and infrastructural
improvements, allowing them to advocate for necessary support and create a better learning
environment.

3. Policymakers

The research provides policymakers with data on the educational challenges in high-density areas,
supporting evidence-based decisions to improve resource allocation and promote policies that enhance
science education for under-resourced schools.

4. Parents and Guardians

Understanding the factors affecting their children’s science education can help parents and guardians
support their academic journey, whether through encouragement or by seeking additional resources
where possible.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH APPROACH

6
Research Approach

A research approach is a systematic plan that outlines the overall strategy for investigating a research
problem. Research approach provides the foundational framework for scientific inquiry" (Creswell,
2014).

This research will use the mixed research approach

A research strategy that triangulates multiple data sources and methodological approaches to address
research questions more comprehensively. Mixed methods research bridges the gap between
quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2010, p. 32).

JUSTIFICATION: because of the nature of my research, which aims to explore both the academic
performance and underlying factors contributing to low pass rates in Combined Science at Glenview
High 2, a Mixed Methods Approach is justified. This approach combines quantitative data, such as pass
rates and academic performance, with qualitative insights from students and teachers, providing a
comprehensive view of the problem. The quantitative data highlights patterns of underperformance,
while qualitative data uncovers deeper issues like the methods used at teaching, resource availability,
and social factors like family background and characters of peer groups offering a more holistic
understanding of the factors at play.

7
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study examines the factors contributing to low pass rates in Ordinary Level Combined
Science among students in high-density areas, focusing specifically on Glenview High 2. Through a mixed
methods approach, the research seeks to uncover the complex interplay of academic, social, and
economic factors impacting students' science performance. By analyzing quantitative data on pass rates
alongside qualitative insights from students and teachers, this study aims to identify specific challenges
and gaps within the educational environment. Ultimately, the findings will help inform targeted
interventions to improve science education outcomes, particularly in high-density urban schools, thus
supporting students' academic growth and expanding their future career opportunities in science and
technology.

REFERENCES:

8
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th
ed.). Sage Publications.

Jansen, J. (2012). Educational Governance in Comparative Perspective. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

Matshabane, J. (2015). Educational Performance Metrics. Pretoria: HSRC Press.

Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications.

Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social & Behavioral Research.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Woolnough, B. (2011). Effective Science Teaching. Buckingham: Open University Press.

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