An Exploratory Study on the Levels and Dimensions of Science Process Skills Among Undergraduate Students in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Science process skills play an important role in increasing scientific literacy and students’ critical thinking skills. The purpose of this study is to explore and evaluate the levels and dimensions of science process skills of undergraduate students at the Higher Education level. The recent study was based on quantitative in nature following a descriptive approach. Population of the current study was all the second semester undergraduate students of University of Malakand, Pakistan. A sample of 177 students was drawn using stratified sampling technique from seven departments which included three students from Pure Sciences, two students from Social Sciences and two students from Arts. After ensuring reliability and validity of the data, science process skill data were obtained using a questionnaire with a standardized form. The result showed that the level of science process skills that were possessed by undergraduate students was moderate (Grand Mean = 17.68). The results of Independent samples t-test showed that the difference in science process skills achievement between boys and girls was not statistically significant, t(175) = 0.956, p = 0.29. A one-way ANOVA analysis however revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the academic disciplines, F(2, 174) = 5.48, p = 0.006. Students who were from Social Sciences had the highest marks (M = 18.66), students from Pure Science had the second highest marks (M = 17.41) and students from Arts had the lowest marks (M = 17.05). The study findings are that academic discipline has significant impact on science process skills, but there is no significant impact of gender on science process skills. The results of this study underscore the importance of inquiry teaching in all subjects of higher education and process-oriented teaching. This study serves as baseline data for the improvement of science education in the Pakistani Universities and also supplements the researcher's study on science process skills and academic achievement.