EFFECT OF LABORATORY INSTRUCTION PLAN ON SCIENCE EDUCATION STUDENTS ACQUISITION OF PRODUCTION SKILL IN CANDLE MANUFACTURE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determined the effect of laboratory instruction plan on science education
students’ acquisition of production skill in candle manufacture in federal universities in
south-east zone of Nigeria. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the
study. Quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study with a sample of
98 third year (300level) science education students’ randomly selected from two out of
four federal universities that offers science education programmes in south-east zone of
Nigeria. Candle Production Skills Rating Scale (CPS_RS) was the instrument used for
data collection. The CPS_RS was validated by five experts (three from science education
and two from educational measurement and evaluation). Cronbach alpha reliability
coefficient of 0.83 was established. Treatment in the two groups lasted for four weeks.
Mean, standard deviation and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used in analyzing
the data. The findings revealed that students who were exposed to laboratory instruction
plan attained higher production skills in candle manufacture than those taught using the
conventional plan. It was concluded therefore that the use of laboratory instruction plans
improved students’ acquisition of production skills in candle manufacture. Based on the
findings, it was recommended among others that science education lecturers should
make their students become acquainted with candle manufacture using the laboratory
instruction plan in order to develop production skills that will make them resourceful, selfreliant
and employer/boss of labor upon graduation.

Keywords: laboratory instruction plan, science education, students, production skills,
candle manufacture