A SWOT Analysis of Male and Female Students’ Performance in Chemistry: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to do a SWOT analysis and compare performances of male and female students in chemistry. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study.  Two boys’, two girls’ and two co-educational schools involving 1319 males and 1831 females, were selected by a stratified, deliberate sampling technique. A descriptive survey research design, percentages and means were used for answering research questions. The  z- and t- tests were used to test hypotheses at (p<0.05).  The SWOT of male and female performances were identified. Strengths, Opportunities and Weaknesses to the performances of males were higher than that of females. Threats to female performances were higher than males’. There is a significant difference in male and female performances in Chemistry, in favour of boys, generally; in urban ; co-educational schools; Strengths; Opportunities and Weaknesses but in favour of females in single sex schools  and in Threats to performances. It was concluded that males performed better than females. Recommendations include encouraging females to attend single –sex schools. Strengths and Opportunities to female performances in chemistry should be enhanced while their Weaknesses and Treats should be drastically reduced, as there can be no national or development without females.

Keywords: SWOT Analysis; Male; Female; Performance; Chemistry; Comparative study; West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).