SUBJECT EXAMINATION CONTENT VALIDITY; CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL EXAMINATION CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL WITH INSERVICE CHEMISTRY TEACHERS IN DODOMA (M), TANZANIA

Abstract

The present study assessed content validity of the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) Chemistry Practicals Examination for Secondary Education in terms of topics represented in the examination. The study involved 30 Chemistry teachers from 13 secondary schools in Dodoma (M), Tanzania. Data were gathered through questionnaires supplemented with focus group discussion, key informants, observation of 14 consecutive National Chemistry practicals examination past papers and examination format documents. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel packages to obtain data for computing Content Validity Ratio (CVR) according to Lawshe’s method. The CVR was -0.816 (CVR varies between 1 to -1; negative value indicate that at least half the subject experts rated the variables as not fundamental, and vice versa for positive value). The study further noted that NECTA Chemistry practically examined topics is about 14.8% and 15.4% of the topics specified in the Chemistry syllabi for junior and senior secondary education respectively. Respondents recommend alternation of Chemistry topics in the national practical examination; to eradicate prediction of questions for next practical examination, provide students with relevant practical skills from various topics and enhances more teaching of science practicals in secondary schools. The study contributes to the understanding of laboratory-based teaching in secondary schools and topics which are examined in the NECTA Chemistry practical examination.