Impact of Group Investigation Strategy on Retention in Biology Concepts among Secondary School Students in Kwali Area Council, Abuja

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of Group Investigation Strategy on retention in Biology concepts among secondary school students in Kwali Area Council, Abuja. A quasi-experimental research design using a pre-test, post-test and delayed-post test control group approach was adopted for the study. Two research questions and corresponding research hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study consists of 2147 (Male, 13,268 & Female, 12,970) Government senior secondary school class two (SSII) Biology students during the 2023/2024 academic session in Kwali, Abuja. A sample size of 90 (Male, 47 & Female, 43) were selected from the target population using simple random sampling technique. The thirty (30) Biology Retention Test (BRT) items was developed by the researcher for data collection. It was validated and tested for reliability using Kuder Richardson formula 21 (K-R 21). A reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. The delayed posttest was conducted two weeks after the post-test; this was done in order to avoid retention error. The results showed that the use of Group Investigation Strategy enhances the retention ability of secondary school students than those exposed to conventional method. Hence, gender friendly. It was recommended that secondary schools, teachers should adopt the strategy (GIS) in teaching biology. Also, Professional bodies should organize seminars, workshops and conferences on the knowledge of Group Investigation Strategy for science teachers at federal and state levels.