Introduction
While there are disadvantages, there are also importance of interview in education, which gives room getting accurate findings and results for research study. Application of Rectilinear Propagation of Light is one of the topics which needed interview in its data gathering by the researcher.
This chapter deals with the research design, population and population sample size, the research instruments employed pre-intervention, intervention and post intervention processes.
Research Design
Action research was employed by the researcher of the study. Action research is defined by Colin and Marion (2005) as an essentially on the spot procedure designed to deal with concrete problems located in an immediate situation.
Action research has many advantages. Some of these are; the researcher to know and understand what goes on in a classroom in terms of teaching and learning situations.
In addition, it equips the researcher with the suitable approaches for the pupils, thus what he or she is dealing with.
More so, it is important not only because it enhances the teacher’s professionalism but also promotes his/her development.
On the other hand, action research has some flaws and some of these are;
The usage of the action research is limited to peculiar situations, problems and space.
Action research also requires some amount or sum of money for both TLM and undertaking the research.
Finally, it consumes time; much time is needed for the researcher to solve the problem.
Population
The target population for the study was Aveyime Methodist Basic eight(8) pupils in the North Tongu District. The class enrolment is twenty-nine (29), out of which nineteen(19) are boys and ten (10) being girls.
Sample and Sample Procedure
Purposive sample techniques was employed for the sample. Purposive sampling techniques was used in selecting participants for the purpose of obtaining the accurate information needed for the research. A total number of twenty-one(21) pupils were sampled for the study.
Research Instruments
Research instruments are the tools used by the researcher to gather data and other information needed by the researcher for the study.
The researcher used test, observation, and oral interview as the instruments for collection of information for the study.
Observation
Observation as defined by Marshall and Rossman (2006) as a systematic description of events, behaviors and artifacts on a social setting chosen for a study.
According to Fianu (2006), on page 21, observations is the process in which one or more persons observe what is occurring in some real-life situation, classify and record pertinent happenings according to some planned scheme. Observation comes in a form as participant observation and non-participant observation. Observation as a research instrument has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Below are some strengths of observation.
It offers first-hand information without relying on the reports of others, it also provide information when other methods are not effective and it is relatively inexpensive. Although, observation has some strength, it also some weaknesses. Some are as follows:
It cannot be employed when large groups or extensive events are studied, it cannot study opinion or attitude directly and it cannot provide information about past, future or unpredictable events.
Interview
Fianu (2006) defines an interview as a two-person conversation initiated by the interviewer for the specific purpose of obtaining research-relevant information.
Typically, an interview represents a dialogue between people where personal and social interaction occurs.
However, development in the computers information technology has resulted in other formats, for example internet interviews. Interview is associated with both quantitative and qualitative. Social research is usually used alongside other methods.
It is an interaction between two people the interviewer and the interviewee. The researcher interacts with the sample one on one to find out reasons for the poor performance in the study of the topic rectilinear propagation of light.
Merits of interviews
It is more appropriate for complex situation. That is, it is appropriate for studying complex sensitive areas as a respondent has the opportunity to prepare response before answering sensitive questions and it is useful for collecting in-depth information. That is, in-depth information can be obtained through probing.
Demerits of Interview
The quality of data depends on the quality of interaction and it offers less anonymity than other methods since the interviewer knows the identity, residence, type of housing, and so on.
Test
Nitko (2001) defined test as an instrument or systematic procedure for observing and describing one or more characteristic of a student using either numerical scale or classification.
Test is the sample of questions given to pupils to answer in order to know their knowledge or understanding level of a particular topic. There are four types of testing in schools today-diagnostic,formative,benchmark, and summative testing.
Importance of Testing
Test helps students to show what they know, what they can do, etc.
Test has some advantages which includes, proper assessment, selection of better person,labour turnover reduced, etc. Fear of exposure, wrong use, unreliable are some disadvantages of test.
Intervention Process
At this stage the researcher plans an activity which is conducted to solve a peculiar problem faced by the pupils. The level involves sets of procedures which must be keenly followed one after the other. The following are the processes employed; pre intervention, intervention and post intervention.
Pre Intervention
For the researcher to confirm the problem that has been identified, the researcher administered a pre-test based on the already taught topic rectilinear propagation of light to find the extent to which the problem affects them.
After the pre-test, the researcher marked and carefully examined the results. The result indicated that ninety percent of the pupils had difficulty in the understanding the topic.
This gives him a clear view of the problem.The pupils were observed three times within ten days during science lesson involving how light travels in a straight line both consciously and unconsciously.
Observation recorded that pupils failed to comprehend the phenomena due to poor manipulation skills. They also lack interest in the subject because they do not like asking questions, fails to attend to correction and writing of notes for future references.
Moreover from the interview made was discovered that, teaching methods used does not suit the pupils level of understanding.
Based on this, the researcher designed and adopt a learner-centered approach of teaching to overcome the lapses.
Intervention
The researcher designed a three boards labeled card A,B,and C with hole perforated at the centers alongside a detailed lesson note to find solution to the problem at hand.
The researcher retaught the topic by demonstrating to the pupils hole light travels in a straight line. Below are the procedures;
a) The researcher arranged the boards on a table with a reasonable intervals between them.
b) He used a long thread to pass through the holes in other to aligned them.
c) The researcher then place a touch light at one end of the set up and switched it on.
d) He then call the pupils to come round and observed, where pupils confirmed seeing the light at one end.
e) After the observation, he slightly shifted the middle board for pupils to re-observe.They confirmed not seeing the light.
The researcher then explained the concept to the pupils. It was observed that pupils were active hence embraced the lesson with much joy.
Post Intervention
After using the designed teaching and learning material for the lesson there was the need to verify whether the purpose of the study has been achieved.
In view of this, the researcher conducted a post-test using the same question administrated to see if the hall mark has been attained with teaching and learning approach used. The performance of the pupils has clearly shown that they have understood the lesson.
Besides, the interview section was carried out by the researcher to find out the latest impression of the pupils on the study of science. Interview guides were administered and pupils’ feedbacks indicated a positive change.
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SOURCE: bbcpulse.com