Equity part of the Education Reform Network

Male – Female Performance in an Inquiry-Based High School Chemistry Course

Download: DQPaper.doc

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative academic performance and attitudes toward science of 181 girls and 125 boys in an inquiry-based high school chemistry class over a 4 year period. Academic performance was measured by grades on 43 activities in 9 categories; attitude was measured by a survey given twice during the year and by students’ course exit comments. Girls’ grades were significantly higher (p.05) for 19 activities and higher but not significantly (p>.05) for 19 more. Boys’ grades were significantly higher (p.05) for 1 activity and higher but not significantly (p>.05) for 4 more. Science attitude for girls and boys improved significantly from the first survey to the second.

This resource is cataloged under:

• Educational Type: Research study
• Network/channel: Equity: Gender and Sex

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